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Ashton Mutyavaviri
THE Agricultural and Marketing Authority (AMA) yesterday unveiled the 2024 seed cotton standard grading boxes to be used as grading yardsticks and referral points by farmers in cases of arbitration.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held in Harare, AMA business director Mr Jonathan Mukuruba said all merchants should display grade results at all buying points within seven days after grading so that farmers know what grades their seed cotton would have fetched.
“For this marketing season, we want all merchants to ensure that grade results are displayed at all buying points within seven days after grading so that farmers know what grades their seed cotton fetched.
“In addition, merchants are expected to issue cotton grading receipts indicating the grades awarded after the process, as this will serve as a motivation in future marketing seasons,” said Mr Mukuruba.
He observed that not only issuing grading receipts would act as a motivation for the next marketing seasons but also serve as a barometer for good cotton quality.
Mr Mukuruba warned that the authority would not just sit idly and watch errant merchants operating outside the confines of the law.
He further stressed that farmers will this year get 75 percent of their earnings in United States dollars with the balance coming in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG).
Mr Mukuruba urged contractors to supply woolpacks well in advance to all contracted farmers to reduce contamination of lint.
He added: “While ginners play their part, we expect farmers to play their role by not nesting their bales with stones or wetting their cotton in a bid to increase weight or engaging in any such conduct, which compromises the quality of the produce.”
Seed cotton is one of the commodities that AMA monitors for quality.
To achieve this, seed cotton grading is done according to prescribed standards. The grades are A, B, C and D.
These national grades are tailored to match the international United States Department of Agriculture standards, which then speak to the market across the globe.
In this light, AMA annually prepares sets of seed cotton standards representing four grades of hand-picked cotton. These show the maximum number of downgrading faults acceptable in each grade.
Boxes are prepared, viewed and certified by all ginners, farmers’ representatives, cotton merchants, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry and AMA upon agreeing on the quality for that season.
Meanwhile, Cottco corporate communications manager Mrs Constance Makoni-Thodhlana emphasised the importance of seed cotton grading boxes, saying they ensured that good quality cotton is produced to safeguard the industry’s sustainability.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association chairperson Mr Stewart Mubonderi applauded the move by AMA to enforce good and standard cotton grading saying that should be done every year.
However, he said payments should be done according to the grades, as this would motivate farmers to grade their seed, thus ensuring good quality.
Better quality cotton will be offered on the market if the difference between the grades is significant, said Mr Mubonderi.
He further observed that grade-based price incentives would also motivate growers to produce good quality and marketable cotton thereby enhancing the sustainability of the sector.
Online Reporter