Christopher Makaza

Cotton farmers countrywide are pleased and have accepted the payment modalities for this year`s marketing season where they will receive part payment in United States dollars.

The 2019 cotton marketing season commenced on 20 May with 600 buying points including mobiles doted countywide.

Speaking to the Harare Post, Cotton Producers and Marketers Association National Chairman, Stewart Mubonderi said that cotton farmers who delivered bales which weighed 200kg and above would receive US$10, $150 RTGs per each bale with the remainder of the payment deposited into their Ecocash or OneMoney accounts.

“Those whose bales weigh between 150 to 200kg will be given US $5, $150 RTGs and the remainder also deposited into their Ecocash or OneMoney accounts while those who deliver bales less than 150kg will be paid cash.

“This payment modality is simple, practical and suitable for a rural setting. It is different from what is happening at tobacco auction floors where the payment processes are long, tiresome and confusing,” he said.

Mr Mubonderi said his association was moving around cotton growing areas countrywide conscientising farmers on the new payment modalities, revealing that tomorrow they will be in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe and proceed to Mutoko district on Friday.

He noted that their association is still making validation of the golden leaf following the deadly cyclone Idai which affected the cotton crop in Manicaland and some parts of Mashonaland East province.

Mr Mubonderi said cotton farmers would continue to receive their usual 10% export incentive to cushion them from economic challenges affecting the country.