We want command cotton, say farmers

COTTON farmers in Mhangura have appealed to Government to extend the Presidential Input Support Scheme until they become financially independent.

The farmers made the plea to Cottco officials at a field day at River Ranch Farm in Mhangura last week.

The Presidential Input Support Scheme was broadened to cover cotton as a way of reviving the sector that was progressively undermined by a slump in global prices.

“We have benefited financially for the past two seasons through the initiative, Mr Agrippa Sande, a farmer, said. We are, however, being saddened by the fact that the 2017/18 season marked the end of the scheme.”

Mr Sande said Government should consider extending the scheme.

Some of the farmers are pushing Government to put the crop under Command Agriculture.

“Why are we having other crops being funded under Command Agriculture, but not cotton?,” said one of the farmers who preferred to remain anonymous.

“Government should consider placing it under Command Agriculture so that we boost cotton production and downstream industries.”

Mr Elija Sirewa from Gudubu said they were prepared to increase their cotton hectarage in support of the programme.

“The inputs we got under the scheme were meant to cover a hectare, but we agreed as cotton farmers around here to plant more than a hectare,” he said.

Cottco Chinhoyi depot manager Mr George Kata said his office had not yet received communication on extending the programme.

Cotton Growers and Marketers Association chairperson Mr Stewart Mubonderi recently indicated that his organisation was going to engage Government to extend the scheme.