World Cotton Day Celebrations, Govt assures farmers of adequate inputs

Edgar Vhera

Agriculture Reporter

ZIMBABWE is today belatedly commemorating World Cotton Day (WCD) in Harare, with the Government assuring farmers of the timely provision of a minimum input package under the Presidential Input Scheme (PIS).

Officiating at the commemorations, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, said farmers would continue getting inputs under the scheme.

“The PIS is continuing, and beneficiaries will get a minimum input package to produce a good harvest,” he said.

“The PIS will support production of seed cotton on 180 000 hectares, with private sector funding the remaining 90 000ha.”

Prof Jiri said this season 520 000 households were expected to produce the crop and called on farmers to produce a quality crop, which would be properly rewarded at marketing time.

“All inputs for the PIS are available, including high-yielding hybrid seeds,” he said.

Prof Jiri also called on spinners and weavers to support the primary production of the crop for their annual lint requirements.