adminThe Rhodesia Herald, April 3, 1969
THE Minister of Agriculture Mr David Smith, referred to the problems of cotton growers on several occasions last week when he visited farmers in the Eastern Districts.
He assured them their product had a great future.
At Odzi, the Minister said it would not be possible to introduce a guaranteed price for seed cotton because the demand for the internal market was limited.
However, if their cultural practices were right, growers should not lose on their cotton production.
Farmers told the Minister that many of them were concerned about the millions of pounds that had been spent on development in the Lowveld, a region of which was now becoming one of the country’s biggest cotton-producing areas.
Mr Smith said there was a commitment to develop the Lowveld, which had contributed to a tremendous saving in foreign currency through its wheat and now its rice production.
“We would not like to see that cotton production is decreased,” Mr Smith added.
“Instead, we must strive to reduce input costs so that the world price of cotton would be profitable to Rhodesian growers.
“Personally, I believe we have a great future in cotton, provided we keep up our quality and presentation”.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Agriculture needs to be treated as a business for it to be sustainable and worthwhile for producers.
The provision of subsidies in terms of inputs is essential in incentivising farmers to keep producing and to increase their production.
For farming to be meaningful, farmers need to be assured of a guaranteed good price for their crop that does not only cover their costs but also leaves them with a profit.
Early payment of farmers is also crucial, if we want to see them back on their farms, the next season.
With the right support, the sky is the limit for farmers. The Government has done well by giving such assurances to farmers which has resulted in record yields in crops such as maize and wheat.
Online Reporter