Christopher Makaza

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

Mr Mubonderi said this while addressing cotton farmers at Gokwe centre in Midlands province yesterday where some farmers are selling their cotton to some private buyers who offer slightly higher prices than Cottco which contracted them.

“We are touring cotton growing areas countrywide encouraging cotton farmers to take their white gold to Cottco, particularly those who benefitted from the Presidential Input Support Scheme and those who received inputs from the parastatal.

“We are also conscientising farmers on the new payment modalities since they are now receiving part of their money in United States dollars.

“Cottco has done a lot for the farmers and they need to appreciate that. As I speak, thousands of group chairpersons countrywide have received bicycles from Cottco. The parastatal has also purchased 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 will deliver bales weighing 200kg and above will receive US$10 and $150 RTGs per each delivered bale. The remainder of the payment will be deposited into their Ecocash or One money 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 One money accounts while those who deliver bales less than 150kg will be paid cash,” he said.