Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera-Agriculture Specialist Writer
DISTRIBUTION of cotton inputs is progressing well with seed enough to cover 200 000 hectares having been disbursed as of January 2, the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has revealed.
This represents 66 percent of the targeted national hectarage of 278 750.
Statistics recently released by AMA indicate that as of January 2, all six registered contractors had disbursed 2 757 382 kilogrammes of cotton seed to 93 869 growers, which has the capacity to cover 183 825 hectares.
Two contractors, Agri Value Chain and Cangrow have surpassed their targeted hectarage by distributing inputs worth 33 744 hectares against the planned 30 000.
The private sector has achieved 89 percent of its targeted 90 000 hectares by disbursing inputs that can plant 80 028ha.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association (CPMA) chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi said this year the area planted was double that of last year and appealed to authorities to extend the planting date to January 31, especially for Lowveld areas.
“Farmers are busy planting and replanting and we call on the Government to extend the planting date from the mandatory mid-January to end of the month especially in areas like Chiredzi.
“Areas like Chiredzi have recorded bumper harvests from the late planted crop over the past six years or so due to the changing seasons,” he said.
Mr Mubonderi said farmers with sun-scorched crops must approach Agritex and Cottco/Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to get seed for replants.
“We call on GMB to give farmers chemicals to control pests so that yields can also double those of last year,” he said.
Mr Mubonderi commended Cottco for providing farmers with an adequate input packages that will improve crop productivity. He was, however, concerned that some farmers are still owed US$5,5 million for the seed cotton they delivered two seasons ago.
Cotton Ginners Association (CGA) chairman, Mr Jonas Chindanya concurred, saying areas in Lowveld can do a late plant and get good harvests due to changes in seasons.
“Lowveld areas like Muzarabani, Checheche and Beitbridge can continue to plant this January and get a good harvest, thanks to the availability of heat units, which can see the crop to maturity unlike in highveld were winter sets in early.
“All of our members have finished giving farmers inputs and have paid all grade-based price differentials,” the CGA boss disclosed.
Cotton Council of Zimbabwe (CCOZ) chief executive officer, Engineer Chris Murove said order was now returning to Cottco, where government inputs are being directed to bona fide farmers already in their database and those who also delivered their crop to them in recent seasons.
“This, together with the biometric database being implemented by AMA, will help eliminate ghost farmers and ensure that inputs go to deserving and capable farmers. If farmers get fair contracts and are paid on time, there is no reason for the sector not to recover,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cottco acting chief executive officer, Mr Rockie Mutenha has also indicated that they are almost done with input disbursements.
“As of January 3, Cottco had distributed 12 748 tonnes of basal fertiliser and 2 388 tonnes of seed to 101 857 beneficiaries. This can cover 119 334 hectares.
“We are targeting 104 500 growers on 150 000 hectares,” he said.
Cottco has so far disbursed inputs to 97 percent of its targeted beneficiaries.
daniel chigunwe
