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Elita Chikwati Agriculture Focus
The Presidential Well Wishers Agriculture Inputs Scheme has brought new life to the collapsing cotton sector, with more farmers now willing to grow the white gold. This season, 400 000 farmers are set to benefit from the scheme, with each household entitled to an input package of one hectare. Cotton is important because of its contribution to the textile industry, edible oil and stock feed manufacturing.

Cotton is a vital crop in terms of value addition, employment and import substitution. Cotton is an anchor crop just like tobacco, sugar cane and horticultural crops. Over the past years, farmers had abandoned producing cotton because of the low prices that were offered by merchants. The merchants supplied inputs and farmers had to sell to the contractor. Most farmers complained that in most cases the companies funding production of the crop supplied inadequate inputs and the farmers had to source the other requirements elsewhere at addition cost, yet at the end of the season the contractor would demand the whole crop.

In other cases, farmers accused the merchants of overpricing their inputs to a level where the farmer produced just to settle the loans and at times the debt would be carried forward to the next season. All these issues discouraged farmers from growing cotton. Companies sponsoring production of cotton also complained of side marketing by farmers. They complained that when they gave farmers seed, fertiliser and chemicals, the farmer would sell to other companies to avoid paying back loans. This resulted in the companies confiscating farmers’ properties, which included livestock, farm machinery and other equipment to recover their costs.

Because of the importance of the cotton crop to the country and the textile industry, Government had to include the crop under the Presidential Well Wishers Agricultural Inputs Scheme. The programme, being spearheaded by Cottco, has resulted in farmers regaining confidence in the crop. Some farmers were sceptical during the first days; others thought they would be forced to pay for the inputs, while others were not sure of the marketing of the crop. But two seasons down the line, farmers have seen that they can engage in farming as a business by growing cotton.

Testimonies from farmers have shown that most of them are improving their livelihoods through the scheme. Some have built houses while others, including widows, are managing to send children to school through growing cotton. Youths who were not employed have also benefited from the programme as ginners. According to the farmers, the scheme has offered them capital to start again. Previously, the farmers did not have cash and could not access loans from banks to start farming. The scheme provides adequate inputs on time, favourable price, and an additional sum of money (adjustment) if the crop delivered is grade C, B or A.

Besides this, when the crop is exported, cotton farmers get a five percent export incentive facility. There are, however, areas that Cottco needs to address if the business is to remain viable. For instance the distribution of inputs should be done timeously. There are instances where farmers get chemicals late and this has a huge impact on the quality and quantity of the crop. Some cotton-growing areas have poor road networks and during the rainy season it’s not easy to transport inputs. Chemicals should be provided in such areas when the farmers get seed and fertilisers.

Farmers also need to get knowledge on how and when they can apply the pesticides. For instance, farmers have reported that pests are now resistant to the chemicals. The chemicals are washed away by the rains and will not be effective in destroying the pests. Extension officers should assist farmers on the correct times to carry out different agronomic practices for effectiveness. In areas such as Chiredzi, Cottco has engaged lead farmers to supervise and assist in the distribution of the inputs.

The lead farmers supervise small groups in their areas and this helps in promoting good practices. For instance, the chairperson and coordinator will encourage farmers to utilise the inputs correctly, apply fertilisers at the right time and also help in policing the farmers to ensure they do not side market. Marketing is one important aspect that can motivate or discourage farmers in crop production. Farmers have raised concerns about the distances they travel to the common buying point, payment system and timing of buying of the crop.

Farmers in border-lying areas like Rushinga complained that Cottco took long to come and buy their crop when they were desperate for cash. The farmers were tempted to sell the crop to buyers in Mozambique, who had ready cash. This compromises the whole objective of the programme to revive the local manufacturing industry. Cottco should guard jealously the crop that it would have sponsored. The company should also establish buying points nearer to farmers so they do not have to travel long distances to sell the crop. Some farmers testified that they sold to Mozambique because companies in that country had set up buying points nearer to them.

The issue of cash has also dealt a blow to the cotton sector as the companies have found other ways of paying the farmers. While it is easy for a person in the urban area to transact using EcoCash, the system can become very complex for people in communal areas. To start with, they do not understand how the system operates, while retailers demand cash. Unscrupulous business people also end up ripping off farmers by charging an extra money for transacting using EcoCash.

Poor telecommunication network has also become another challenge in the communal areas. The farmers struggle for network and this disrupts all their activities. When a farmer sells his produce, he needs the money to buy food, household property, farm equipment and even pay hospital bills. This means the money should be accessible. So, Cottco should address the issue of payments. It is better to source cash and pay farmers in marginal areas so that they are not forced into side marketing.

The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) should play its role by ensuring smooth marketing of the crop and discourage side marketing. For instance, farmers appeared on the Cottco register and other private companies when they had only benefited from the Presidential inputs. The farmers were forced to share the crop with companies that had not have sponsored anything. While farmers are free to be contracted by a accompany of their choice, they should not be punished by maladministration to side market the crop. AMA officials should also be on the ground during the distribution of inputs to avoid chaos during the marketing season. Anomalies should be raised during the registration process rather than wait for the marketing period.