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Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE Farmers Union (ZFU) is expecting an increase in cotton production following a directive by Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) for all contractors to inject funds at chosen common buying points. In an interview Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) Vice President, Mr Berean Mukwende said the directive was a noble idea for contractors to support farmers to help increase production.
“It is an important decision taken by AMA for contractors to invest in the planting to increase production,” he said.
He said they were expecting an increase in cotton production and inputs were already being distributed.
“We are expecting to produce about 400 000 metric tonnes from about 5 000 hectares, an increase from 145 000 tonnes which were sold during the previous marketing season,” said Mr Mukwende.
The cotton industry has been strongly affected by the decline in levels of support over the years and the directive by AMA for every contractor to inject a minimum of $1 million at a chosen common buying point will translate to about 5 000 hectares of production which is likely to yield around 80 tonnes of cotton per hectare.
He said if this initiative was applied in the production of other crops there would be a positive change in the agricultural sector.
“This idea should be extended to the production of other crops. If contractors are involved and invest in production of crops there will be growth in the produce and more farmers will be willing to grow crops which will increase production,” said Mr Mukwende.
Funding for cotton growers fell from about $44 million in 2011 to $22 million last season as a result of side marketing.
The cotton industry, which is a source of livelihood for more than 200 000 small-holder farmers, continues to face several challenges ranging from lack of funding, side marketing, nonviable prices as well as unfavourable rainfall patterns.
Mr Mukwende also said the move by the government to resuscitate the Cotton Marketing Board as the buyer of last resort will see an improvement in the pricing of the crop next season.
Online Reporter