by Christopher Makaza

More cotton farmers have registered to grow the crop in the 2018/19 farming season, taking advantage of the free inputs under the Presidential Input Support Scheme.

In an interview with Harare Post, Cotton Producers and Marketers Association National Chairman, Stewart Mubonderi revealed that more than 100 000 new farmers have joined the wagon of cotton growers and distribution of Presidential cotton inputs are currently underway.

“Last year we had 283000 farmers who participated in the scheme and this farming season the number has risen to 385000 as of three weeks ago. The figure is likely to reach 450000 as registration and distribution of inputs is still on-going throughout the country. Because of El-Niño predictions this season, farmers are opting to grow drought resistant crops which also include cotton.

“Early distribution of inputs has given farmers ample time for land preparation and other logistics. It was a significant improvement to last year where cotton farmers started received inputs as late as January.

Mr Mubonderi however said that their major concern is that of shortage of chemicals as farmers are yet to receive them, urging government to intervene as the white gold is one of the country`s source of foreign currency earners.