By Agriculture reporter

Majority of cotton crop countrywide is currently reported to be in good or excellent condition despite heavy rains and floods that recently pounded some parts of the country.

Cotton Marketers and Producers Association of Zimbabwe national chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi, revealed that newly introduced Quantum 11 D herbicide contributed to the success of the cotton crop as it proved to be very effective.

“Despite some cases of leaching reported in some cotton growing areas of the country, the crop situation is generally pleasing. Most cotton farmers under the Presidential Input Support Scheme have already received the much needed top dressing fertiliser, though some few areas have been affected by leaching due to heavy rains.

“The newly introduced Quantum 11 D herbicide has proved to be very effective in fighting weeds and cotton farmers are really happy with its performance,” said Mr Mubonderi.

Cotton farmers put 185 557 hectares under the Cotton Presidential Inputs Scheme 2020/21 summer cropping season, representing a 28 percent increase from the 144 696 hectares planted during the same period last year.

Mr Mubonderi noted that they are still expecting a yield of not less than 200000 metric tonnes.

“Some of the areas with good cotton crop include Guruve, Mbire, Gokwe, Nembudziya, Rushinga, Makonde, Checheche, Chiredzi Shamva among others. New farmers also have very good cotton crop,” said Mubonderi.

The bulk of the early planted crop is now at flowering stage.

The Government is determined to revive the cotton industry and its Presidential Input Support Scheme is proving effective.

Cotton is important to the nation because of its contribution to the textile industry, edible oil and stock feed manufacturing and also bringing in the much needed foreign currency.