Govt commends farmers for producing cotton

GOVERNMENT has commended farmers in Gokwe for producing cotton, which brings in the muchneeded foreign currency and contributes to the economy.

Speaking after touring Cottco Ginnery last week, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Owen Ncube said Gokwe was the hub of cotton production in Zimbabwe.

“About 50 percent of the national cotton output comes from Gokwe North and Gokwe South,” he said. “This is testimony that the people of these wonderful districts are hardworking and as a result are contributing significantly to the economy of Zimbabwe.

“Gokwe town was built from scratch through the revenues from cotton and we all witnessed the growth of this town from the time that it was designated a growth point to now when it has commanded a town status.”

Minister Ncube applauded the local leadership, especially chiefs for playing a role in encouraging people of Gokwe to produce the crop even during hard times when inputs costs were high and producer prices unviable.

“Your concerns were heard by President Mnangagwa who was then Vice President,” he said. “He played a leading role in convincing Government to come up with a Presidential Free Cotton Inputs Scheme to revive the cotton industry.

“The improvement and uplifting of the standards of living of rural communities is very dear to the President’s heart and he is always looking for ways of improving the lives and living standards for rural communities.”

Cde Ncube commended Cottco for setting up a state-of-the-art ginnery in Gokwe.

“Cottco is the only company with a ginnery in the town,” he said.

“I urge chiefs to ensure their subjects do not side market the Government funded cotton so that Government can enjoy the benefits from the inputs that they gave people for free.”

Cottco managing director Mr Pious Manamike said Gokwe was a hive of activity due to the increase in cotton production.

“Shops that had closed in Gokwe have since reopened because of cotton marketing,” he said. “Cottco through the Presidential Inputs Scheme is also employing local youths to work at the ginnery.