Harare (New Ziana) – Cotton seed purchases by main contractor, the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) have risen by 48 percent to 69 146 metric tons, up from 46 748 metric tons purchased by the same time last year.
In a trading update, Cottco said it has so far paid US$15.9 million to farmers for deliveries made to its depots throughout the country.
“As the buying season draws to an end, the company has achieved a 48 percent increase in intake from 46 748 metric tons in 2022 to 69 146 metric tonnes in the current season. Cottco has paid USD15.9 million to farmers to date and the remaining 32% is expected to be cleared in the month of September 2023 as market liquidity improves,” it said.
Cottco said farmers’ morale improved in the 2021/22 buying season when they were paid 75 percent in foreign currency, thereby increasing their interest to grow the crop.
“Interest to grow the crop was rekindled resulting in 360 224 being registered as compared to 294 202 growers in the previous season,” it said.
Meanwhile Cottco said it is already focusing on preparations for the 2023/24 summer cropping season.
“Suppliers for the Presidential inputs for cotton production have commenced delivery of fertilizers for distribution to farmers, which will be helpful in early crop establishment, given the forecast of El Nino weather patterns for the forthcoming season,” it said.
As at the end of August 2023, at least 690 metric tons of basal fertilizer had been delivered to Cottco business units in Muzarabani, Gokwe, Chiredzi, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Mutare and Mt Darwin.
In 2022, farmers delivered 116 025 tons of the crop, up from 82 000 tons in 2020, as government support through subsidies and various input programs bear fruit.
Cotton is mostly grown under contract arrangements in Zimbabwe with ginners providing inputs and buying the produced seed cotton. The government through Cottco is the main contractor accounting for more than 85 percent of all cotton production.
The government introduced a number of support programs such as the Presidential Input Scheme and Pfumvudza/ Intwasa, through which farmers are given seed, fertilizers and chemicals for free, to boost production.
Zimbabwe seed cotton, mainly produced by smallholder communal farmers with plots ranging from half a hectare to five hectares, is the most sought after globally, as it is hand-picked with minimal contamination, thereby maintaining good quality standards.
Cotton remains the most viable drought tolerant crop to grow in marginal rainfall areas under Natural Regions 3, 4 and 5.
The introduction of support and competitive prices have seen many farmers returning to grow cotton after having abandoned it in favour of other cash crops such as tobacco, whose marketing was orderly and prices attractive.
New Ziana
