Isoka in 10, 000 hectares cotton boost A N international agriculture company will grow 10, 000 hectares of cotton in Isoka district in Muchinga Province in 2019/2020 farming season. By PETER SICHALI

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has since launched the cotton production and farming project aimed at diversifying the agriculture sector.

LDC Regional Manager, Alibandila Siwiwaliondo said his firm decided to invest in 10, 000 hectares of cotton to help farmers diversify from maize growing.

Mr Siwiwaliondo said the launch of cotton growing and production project would help farmers work toward having an extra source of income and employment.

He said LDC would recruit 5, 000 farmers in Isoka district for 2020 farming season and we project to produce 3, 000 metric tonnes of cotton.

"As we launch cotton production and farming in Isoka district we target to recruit 5, 000 farmers in the district. Farmers will be supported with pre-financing support and market after harvest," Mr Siwiwaliondo said.

The company, he said, had produced 2, 400 tonnes of cotton in Chama district.

"This year we have produced 25, 000 metric tonnes of cotton in the five provinces we are operating from despite the effects of climate change," he said.

The regional manager said company intended to set up a ginnery in Muchinga Province in 2023 once production reaches 8, 000 tonnes.

And Isoka District Commissioner (DC) Evenwell Mutambo said the launch of cotton production was timely as it was in line with Government policy of economic diversification and job creation.

Mr Mutambo said the pre-financing of cotton production on out-grower scheme basis would attract more scale farmers to participate in the programme, thereby creating jobs and income at household level.

Meanwhile, Isoka District Agriculture Coordinator Victor Siame said pre-financing approach on out-grower scheme basis would supplement provision of inputs for cotton production.

He urged farmers to seize an opportunity and grow cotton as a way of spreading the risk of crop failure in the wake of climate change.