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Gabrielle Gede Manicaland Correspondent
Cotton farmers in Chipinge have not yet started harvesting their crop after they were forced to delay planting due to late rains.

Chipinge Agritex extension officer Mr Tapiwa Chagwesha said although the marketing season had begun in some areas, farmers in Chipinge would only begin harvesting at the end of May.

“Cotton farmers are expecting their harvest to begin at the end of this month since they had delayed planting because of the late rains this season. The plant is not ready to be harvested since it has not yet reached the first stage of ripening,” said Mr Chagwesha.

He said out of the 8 896 hectares planted, they were expecting to produce about 4 448 tonnes this season.

“We are expecting a yield of 0,5 tonnes per hectare this season. We were disturbed by the unreliable rainfall patterns which we experienced this season. We had to replant the crop due to poor germination, but despite all that we are hoping for a successful season,” he said.

Mr Chagwesha however said the quality of the crop might have been affected despite the Cyclone Idai induced rains. “The crop had already been significantly damaged when the rains came so the quality might be compromised as compared to other seasons,” he said.

He said the producer price announced by Government was a good encouragement for farmers to continue taking up cotton production.