Cotton producers target 300 00 tonnes

THE National Cotton Producers and Marketers Association says its members are working on producing over 300 000 tonnes of the white gold during the 201819 agricultural season.

The association’s chairman Mr Steward Mubonderi said in an interview that the move was set to earn the country more foreign currency through exports and to improve the production of cooking oil and soap among other related by-products.

“We are very much delighted that Government, through Cottco, has continued supporting our production through the provision of inputs to over 400 000 growers across the country,” he said.

“If you have been following, our industry had been dying over the years before Government intervention. We have improved and nothing can stop us from producing over 300 000 tonnes.

During the last farming season we doubled our output from 73 000 tonnes in the 20116/17 period to 140 000 tonnes.

“Most of the farmers have already started preparations for the cropping season and we look forward to increased productivity.”

Mr Mubonderi said each farmer had received full 1 hactare packages of inputs comprising 20kg cotton seed, 100kg compound L, 50kg calcium ammonia nitrade, three by 500ml setamac, 1kg cabarel, two by 250ml cabosaphate and extension work.

He said other farmers had made arrangements with private ginners including Southern Cotton and Alliance Ginneries. He said farmers will go into their fields taking cognisance of the challenges which the country is facing due to their reduced production levels.

The country needs foreign currency and cotton farmers have a solution, the country needs cooking oil margarine, stock feeds and more employment opportunities.

“We have the keys that is why this season we will work extra hard to address some of the challenges we are facing as a nation by increasing production capacities,” he said.

It is understood that some of the cotton farmers are motivated to increase their output following a recent commitment by Government that they will be paid party of their money in foreign currency.