Story by John Nhandara
The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) is targeting to produce 60 000 tonnes of cotton from over 120 000 hectares put under the crop this season.
COTTCO’s chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha says the initiative comes as part of the company’s broader strategy to revitalise the cotton industry and bolster the nation’s economy.
Distribution of top dressing fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides to farmers is already underway.
“As COTTCO we established 129 500hectares of cotton and these are at various stages. Some of which is 5 weeks old. We hope to get at least 55 000 to 60 000 tonnes of cotton from the established hectarage,” said Mr Mutenha.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson Mr Stewart Mubonderi says the state of the crop is indicating a good yield this season.
“The state of the crop is good and we anticipate to surpass the 60 000 tonnes target. We however urge farmers who did not register with COTTCO to do so that they receive herbicides and pesticides currently being distributed,” he said.
Last year, only 15 000 tonnes of seed cotton was produced due to the El Niño induced drought.
