adminLocadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
The Midlands Province is targeting to reap 720 000 tonnes of cotton mainly from Gokwe as cotton farmers are expecting a bumper harvest due to adequate Government support.
Midlands provincial crop and livestock officer Mrs Madeliner Magwenzi said there is approximately 120 000 hectares under cotton this season, mostly in Gokwe North and South, where the province is targeting to harvest 720 000 tonnes.
“We have approximately 120 000 hectares planted under cotton mainly in Gokwe districts and farmers are already harvesting, “ said Mrs Magwenzi.
Meanwhile, farmers in Gokwe have started delivering cotton bales at buying centres amid high hopes for the much-awaited cotton prices for this season.
Gokwe-Chireya Ward 9 Councillor Ms Grace Marongwe said optimism is high in the cotton-growing hotspot as farmers anticipate new prices from the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco), which availed inputs to over 155 000 farmers across the country under the Presidential Free Inputs Scheme. “Farmers here are just waiting eagerly for the announcement of the producer price as they are already at the height of harvesting. We are hoping that we will get a fair price for the white gold.”
Online Reporter