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Edgar Vhera Agriculture Specialist Writer
AS the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) today, women farmers have called for fairness in the distribution of cotton inputs under various support programmes amid allegations that men are getting the lion’s share all the time.
The day, which was set aside on March 8 is celebrated globally to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This theme for this year’s celebrations is “#EmbraceEquity.”
Reflecting on this day, chairperson of one women group in Gokwe North district’s Ward 11 Village of Wachekwa, Mrs Rabeccah Dumera bemoaned the unfair input distribution that she said was biased towards male groups only.
“Let there be gender considerations at input collection points and depots, as women groups are always coming second after males.
“If inadequate inputs are delivered to a collection point where there are 12 male groups and 10 for females, for example, the inputs must be equally shared among both groups,” said Mrs Dumera.
She said women farmers this year had increased cotton production after Government encouraged them to form groups to spearhead their development.
“I have increased my cotton hectarage this year from the one and half hectares I planted last year to three. Last year I managed seven bales but this year I am expecting over 15,” added Mrs Dumera.
Another beneficiary of the Government Cotton Input Scheme from Gokwe Nembudziya’s Mawire Village Mrs Sarudzai Ncube thanked the Government for the support programme saying it had enabled her to build a decent home and send children to school.
“I have been in the cotton industry my whole life and last year we were overjoyed, as we were paid in foreign currency. I planted two and half hectares and got 16 bales. I have since increased to three hectares this year and I am expecting 20 bales,” said Mrs Ncube.
As women celebrate IWD tomorrow she called on her peers not to listen to hearsay that cotton is not profitable but to work hard and increase incomes.
“Let’s do away with laziness. Cotton is our gold let us increase its production and develop our country,” continued Mrs Ncube.
Mrs Mavis Madondo of Machona village in Checheche district, Manicaland, said she managed to build and electrify her four roomed house using solar energy. She also bought a fridge and tiles and is looking forward to buying a car from cotton earnings this year.
“Cottco gave me inputs for four hectares, one of which was under the high yielding Mahyco hybrid variety. I am expecting to surpass 20 bales this year after I managed 15 from three hectares last year,” said Mrs Madondo.
Mrs Madondo said she rents additional land from other farmers at a cost of R1 000 per field. She commended Cottco for empowering women farmers.
Another farmer from the same village Mrs Verina Ndlovu revealed that she had also built a three roomed house, that is fenced. She has also drilled a borehole.
Online Reporter