Staff Reporter

The cotton crop planted under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa and the Presidential Input Support Scheme is doing well in most parts of the country with farmers optimistic of a bumper harvest, on the back of good rains the country is currently receiving.

Speaking to this publication, this Monday, Cotton Producers and, Marketers Association Chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi said the crop situation in most parts of the country is really pleasing and encouraging. He thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s Government for availing another 8 thousand tonnes of the cotton seed needed for replanting.

“The cotton crop in most of the cotton growing areas is in a very good state, farmers are really happy. We are also happy that farmers have received some extra cotton seed for replanting in areas that were affected by a dry spell that the country experienced some weeks ago. The Government availed about eight thousand tonnes of cotton seed, enough for the replanting exercise,” he said.

Mr Mubonderi said that his Association has embarked on a nationwide tour, encouraging cotton farmers to practice good agronomic practices and to continue planting their cotton seed until 30 January.

“We have started outreach programmes countrywide urging our cotton farmers especially in Chiredzi to continue planting their cotton seed until 30 January. The time frame according to our Meteorological Department will still be safe and the crop will do well up to the harvesting period. We are also moving around conscientising farmers on good agronomic practices so as to maximise production,” said Mr Mubonderi.

Mr Mubonderi says his Association will continue to engage relevant authorities, so that issues among them such as late payment by cotton farmers are addressed.

Under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, farmers planted 35940ha of cotton while 25995ha was funded by other contractors. A total of 429881 cotton farmers have so far been trained on Pfumvudza.

The Pfumvunza programme is aimed at ensuring that smaller farms are run as proper businesses, with the farmers retaining what they need for their consumption and selling the rest of the harvest. The training includes business areas, such as how to keep proper records.