Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s cotton sector is poised for a major rebound this season, with projections indicating a harvest of between 60 000 and 70 000 metric tonnes, thanks to above-average rainfall and increased hectares under cultivation.
According to the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco), this year’s production marks a dramatic improvement from the 13 000 metric tonnes recorded last season, which was devastated by an El Niño-induced drought.
With 122 000 hectares planted under cotton across the country, stakeholders are upbeat about meeting, or even surpassing the national target.
In an interview with the media yesterday, Cottco Board Chairperson Sifelani Jabangwe confirmed the improved crop outlook, crediting favourable weather conditions and timely input support.
“We are looking forward to a good harvest because of the good rains. We have a target of 60 000 to 70 000 metric tonnes, which we think is achievable,” he said.
Farmers are equally hopeful, buoyed by consistent rainfall and robust support from the governmentthrough the Presidential Input Scheme, which provided seed, fertiliser, and chemicals at no cost.
Chairperson of the Cotton Producers and Marketers Association, Stewart Mubonderi, emphasised the importance of fair pricing as preparations for the marketing season intensify.
“We have a good crop this season, unlike last year. We are now looking for a favourable pricing structure that will motivate our farmers as we engage on the marketing season’s prices with the Agricultural Marketing Authority,” he said.
As the marketing season approaches, key stakeholders,including farmers, ginners, and policymakers are meeting to determine this year’s cotton floor price, a crucial factor in ensuring profitability for growers.
Fair pricing, they argue, is essential for sustaining farmer interest and long-term viability of the cotton value chain.
The expected surge in output also has wider implications for the rural economy, where cotton is a major source of income and employment.
Thousands of households in provinces, such as Mashonaland Central, Midlands, and parts of Matabeleland North depend on cotton farming for livelihoods.
If successful, this season’s harvest could not only revitalise Zimbabwe’s cotton industry but also strengthen the country’s export earnings and textile production, which has struggled in recent years due to erratic raw material supply.
With the rains on their side and a bumper harvest within reach, all eyes are now on pricing, the final piece in this season’s promising cotton comeback story.
