Story by John Nhandara
THE country is poised for a good harvest this cotton cropping season, with the national crop outlook pointing to an average of over 60 000 metric tonnes.
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector are engaging to come up with this year’s cotton prices as the cotton marketing season beckons.
The engagements come at a time when the national crop outlook is pointing to an average production of 60 to 70 000 metric tonnes, with 122 000 hectares having been put under cotton this cropping season.
The figure is a significant improvement from the 13 000 metric tonnes produced last season where production was affected by the El Nino-induced drought.
“We are looking forward to a good harvest because of the good rains. We have a target of 60 000 to 70 000 metric tonnes which we think is achievable,” Cottco’s Board Chairperson Mr Sifelani Jabangwe noted.
Farmers across the country are optimistic the targets are achievable, riding on sufficient rainfall received this season.
“We have a good crop this season, unlike last season. We are now looking for a favourable pricing structure that will motivate our farmers as we engage on the marketing season’s prices with the Agricultural Marketing Authority,” Chairperson of the Cotton Producers and Marketers Association, Mr Stewart Mubonderi said.
Most cotton farmers received inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme this season.
