The 2020/2021 Presidential Cotton Free inputs have started arriving at various Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) depots for onward disbursement to farmers ahead of the forthcoming agricultural season.
The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO), which is mandated to spearhead the Presidential Cotton Free Inputs Scheme, is working round the clock to ensure timeous delivery of inputs as per government directive.
A visit to Gokwe, Chiredzi and Muzarabani other cotton-growing areas show that free tillage for farmers is well on course, while the movement fertilisers for the forthcoming season is underway.
The farmers welcomed the decision by the government for early disbursement of inputs but appealed to COTTCO to avail cotton seed so that they plant on time.
“We are happy with the tillage program, it is moving properly, but cottco should mobilize cotton seed which is the key input on time. With this timely disbursement of inputs such as fertilizer, we have seen stocks of fertilizers arriving, I agree with other farmers that what should be put in place is the issue of seed, we should plant before the onset of the rains, but this season is promising if all goes as per government plans, notes another farmer,” they said.
Meanwhile, COTTCO confirmed that cottonseed for about 400 thousand hectares have been secured with expectations high that farmers will start receiving it next week to plant on time and beat the onset of the rainy season.
This post first appeared on ZBC News
