Christopher Makaza

Cotton Producers and Marketers Association National Chairman, Stewart Mubonderi has urged cotton farmers to desist from side marketing, but to sell their white gold to the Cotton Company (Cottco) which is funding them.

Mr Mubonderi said this while addressing cotton farmers at Mutoko centre in Mashonaland East province yesterday.

“We are touring cotton growing areas countrywide to conscientise farmers on the new payment modalities following the kick-start of the 2019 marketing season on Monday this week. We are encouraging them to take their produce to Cottco, especially those who benefitted from the Presidential Input Support Scheme and those who received inputs from the parastatal.

“Cottco has done a lot for the farmers and they need to appreciate that. As I speak, about 8 000 group chairpersons countrywide have received bicycles from Cottco. The parastatal has also purchased 300 motor bikes for coordinators for easy access to cotton farmers, of which other companies have not done that,” he said.

Mr Mubonderi said farmers were pleased to receive part of their payments in United States dollars.

“Cotton farmers who are delivering bales which weigh 200kg and above will receive US$10 and $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 and $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,” he said.