Cotton smugglers warned

Elita chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter
Government has warned companies facilitating the smuggling of raw cotton produced under the Presidential Inputs Scheme outside Zimbabwe to desist from the activities as they will be dealt with ruthlessly. This follows reports that some cotton farmers were selling cotton outside Zimbabwe defeating the purpose of the Presidential Inputs Scheme to resuscitate the cotton industry.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made yesterday urged Cottco and the Agricultural Marketing Authority to look into the issue.

“Government is concerned that there are companies facilitating purchase of cotton produced under the Presidential Inputs Scheme to other countries.

“Anyone caught violating Zimbabwe’s laws will be dealt with,” he said.