By Taurai Mazwi

Government has approved a Cotton Floor Producer Price for the 2020/21 Cotton Marketing Season, thereby ensuring viability and competitiveness of the cotton industry.

This was said by Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday whilst presenting the Ninteenth Cabinet Meeting Decision Matrix.

“Cabinet considered and approved a Cotton Floor Producer Price of ZW$43.94 per kg for the 2020/21 Cotton Marketing Season, which gives the farmer a 15% return and ensures viability and competitiveness of the cotton industry,” she said.

 “The price proposal was tabled by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.” Added Mutsvangwa.

The Minister further highlighted the steps to be followed on how the producer price would be paid out.

“The ZW$43.94 per kg producer price will be paid out in the following manner; US$10 per each bale of cotton delivered, 38% of the value of a 200 kg bale in ZW$ cash notes and the balance transferred electronically to farmers’ mobile money wallet accounts,” she said.

“It is emphasized that the price and provision of inputs support in the production of cotton is part of Government’s social protection and provision of safety nets programme to alleviate the plight of marginalized rural farmers. All inputs for cotton producers are free,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Farmers depend on cotton for their income that is why Government is providing safety nets for them to alleviate their problems.  Cotton farmers are encouraged to take their white gold to Cottco, particularly those who benefitted from the Presidential Input Support Scheme and those who received inputs from the parastatal. Cotton famers benefit a lot with Cottco.