Story by Tendai Munengwa
THE Presidential Cotton Inputs Scheme has empowered over 450 000 households and created employment for youths in once marginalised communities countrywide.
Since the launch of the scheme in 2015, the agriculture sub-sector which was facing viability challenges, has recorded considerable gains, improving livelihoods for thousands of families in the cotton greenbelts of the country.
The provision of free cotton inputs under the presidential scheme has kept the local cooking oil extraction and clothing manufacturing industry afloat, while creating employment for youths in rural communities.
On the economic front, the cash crop continues to rake in the much-needed foreign currency for the country.
“We are happy to tell the nation that 450 000 households have been registered under the Presidential Cotton Free Inputs Scheme. That alone has created a sustainable source of livelihood for millions of people. At our cotton ginneries, we have created jobs for many youths.
“The industry which relies on cotton and its by-products is still kicking though we had a drought last year, we are hopeful that this year we are on a recovery path,” COTTCO acting chief executive officer, Mr Rockie Mutenha noted.
Dubbed the white gold, the cash crop is now rated the third biggest agriculture crop, contributing 10 percent towards the gross domestic product.
“We have put in place a crop classification strategy to select productive farmers who are given a full package of inputs to boost cotton production, a payment plan to ensure farmers get paid on time has been put in place while a crop assessment is underway to evaluate planted hectares,” Mr Mutenha added.
The country used to export 70 percent of lint and can rake in US$70 million at its peak.
Under the Presidential Inputs Cotton Scheme, farmers are recording high yields courtesy of the inputs which motivated many to take up production of the white gold.
More than 360 000 farmers benefitted from free inputs under the scheme where farmers get free basal and top-dressing fertiliser, seed, and chemicals.
