Cotton side marketers risk losing out on free inputs

Harare (New Ziana) – Farmers who were contracted by the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) last year but did not deliver their produce will not receive free government inputs unless they have a satisfactory explanation, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said this during a stakeholders’ conference on the proposed cotton production enhancement and marketing arrangements for the 2023/24 season.

Stakeholders in attendance included officials from cotton contractors, the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and government officials.

“Farmers that received Presidential cotton inputs last season but did not deliver their cotton to Cottco will receive their inputs on an explain and receive basis, and if the explanation is satisfactory, they will then receive the inputs to ensure accountability,” said Masuka.

He said his Ministry will engage Rural District Councils and AMA to reduce levies that they are charging contractors to ensure a favourable business environment.

AMA charges contractors between US$10 000 and US$20 000 for licenses and the proposed reduction would enhance accountability and variability through uniform extension reducing and eliminating side marketing.

The main distribution committee for the Presidential cotton inputs will comprise the area councillor and representatives from the Agricultural Advisory Services (ARDA), local headmasters, Ministries of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture while security agents will oversee, and the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will account for the cotton delivered.

Meanwhile, Ministry permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri said Cottco is putting up a processing plant at Gokwe Centre in the Midlands province, to bring more value to the cotton production value chain by extracting lint, cotton seedcake and oil.

Jiri said the government will also engage Cottco for down payment of money owed to farmers for the crop they delivered last season.

“The Pfumvudza/Intwasa program will ensure low-cost production of cotton and farmers would benefit more from the practice since it has high returns,” he said.

New Ziana