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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Cotton farmers in Zimbabwe have set themselves a target to produce at least 4 000 kilogrammes per hectare after receiving Government inputs way ahead of the beginning of the planting season. The farmers said the inputs came at a time when their preparations were boosted by the introduction of tillage services by the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco).

In an interview yesterday, Cotton Producers and Marketers Association national chairman Mr Steward Mubonderi said the Presidential Input Support Scheme transformed the lives of more than 153 000 cotton farmers last season. He said more than 400 000 farmers were prepared to grow the crop under the scheme this season.

“We had grown poor during the days when inputs were being issued on credit at exorbitant rates by cotton companies,” said Mr Mubonderi. Most of the farmers were considering abandoning the crop, but the success recorded last season has re-energized us.” Mr Mubonderi said farmers had unanimously agreed to rally behind President Mugabe’s leadership in the forthcoming harmonised elections to retain the Government which will continue helping them.

“This year has been ours as cotton farmers and it’s rare for a government to support farmers with free inputs, free extension services and now free tillage services. As cotton farmers, we are giving President Mugabe and Minister Made assurance that we will put the inputs to good use and a minimum of 4 000kg would be produced at every hectare just because everything has been availed on time,” he said. Mr Mubonderi said draught power was a challenge last season due to the drought that ravaged the country two years ago. “Last season, our operations were affected by the state of our cattle as we were coming from a drought and this impacted negatively on our operations,” he said.

“The situation has since improved this season and our livestock is in good shape, while some farmers have bought more cattle from the cotton revenue. “We have already received the inputs, while Cottco has proposed to avail tillage services to farmers with challenges of draught power.”