adminStephen Ephraem
THE white gold, as cotton is affectionately known, is under threat in the south eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe. This was revealed by Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) at a stakeholder meeting held at Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge last Saturday.
Farmers have lost confidence in the crop due to a string of challenges that include low producer prices offered by cotton marketing companies, crop destruction due to relaxed taming of livestock and insensitive debt recovery practices by cotton contractors which saw most farmers lose property when they fail to service their loans. Cotton woes have been worsened by dry spell experienced due to the El Nino effect.
A complete package of cotton inputs that include planting seed, fertilizers and pesticides have been distributed freely this season under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
Chipinge district received 649,5 tonnes of cotton planting seed. Cottco and Government arm, Agritex, are monitoring the establishment of the fibre crop countrywide.
Cottco Business Unit Manager for Chiredzi Mr Munashe Mugwevi has encouraged farmers to grow the crop and engage dialogue on their challenges later.
“It’s worrisome that planting seed uptake is very low. Worse still, those who have taken the planting seed are not planting it.
“We understand that farmers have grievances, but wouldn’t it be better for you to plant first and engage dialogue while the crop is getting established?
“Some are giving excuses that the planting season is gone. How can we declare that the season is gone when we have started receiving rains just now? said Mr Mugwevi”
Speaking at the same occasion, the Vice National Chairman of Cotton Producers and Marketers Association Mr Morris Mukwe encouraged Cottco and Agritex to avoid favouritism when distributing inputs.
“It’s disturbing to note that some capable farmers are being left out in favour of those who have a questionable cotton farming record.
“Let the threat to cotton production be the unpredictable weather, not inputs distributors themselves. The country needs cotton and we should ensure that capable farmer gets the inputs. On the issue of producer prices, we promised that we shall advocate for the best price, said Mr Mukwe.”
District Administrator for Chipinge, Mr Edgars Seenza urged chiefs, who were represented by chiefs Mahenye, Garahwa, Mpungu and Musikavanhu, to utilise their traditional powers to curb livestock trespassing into cotton fields.
“The Government didn’t segregate anyone on inputs distribution for the development of cotton production.
“Chiefs should play a pivotal role in enforcing laws that ensures that villagers keep their livestock out of cotton fields.
“The Government is also aware that the region has lost a huge number of cattle due to drought. We encourage farmers to plan as groups to introduce mechanisation in their farming, said Mr Seenza.”
Online Reporter