by Taurai Mazwi

Cotton production is expected to increase this farming season following the introduction of a new cotton seed variety imported from India, a reliable source within the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) has revealed.

The source said the new seed cotton variety is a game changer as it is going to increase yields astronomically.

 “We are expecting a total production of 120 000 metric tonnes of cotton this farming season as compared to last year where we only got about 70 000 metric tonnes. This is because we now have a new Mahyco cotton seed which was planted this farming season.

“The seed is imported from India and its yields are expected to produce more than five metric tonnes per hectare, whereas our local traditional seed produces yields of about 0.850 metric tonnes per hectare,” he said.

Mahyco is a research based company, investing in enhancing yields by conventional and novel technological processes. It is a pioneer and leader in the Indian seed industry. It also produces maize, castor, wheat and sunflower hybrids among others.

According to the source, the new seed variety is economical in that less quantity of seeds is needed per hectare as compared to the locally produced seed.

“When it comes to the Mahyco seed, only 4kg of Mahyco is needed per hectare, whilst traditional seeds require 20kg per hectare. Fewer bags are needed of the Mahyco seed, hence, farmers can saves on transport costs,” said the source.

He further highlighted that Cottco distributed about 20 metric tonnes of the Mahyco seed as a test run for the 2019/20 cotton farming season. This seed was planted on 5000 hectares of land and about five metric tonnes of cotton is expected per hectare.

The source said, on assessment, the seed was seen to be producing about 120 balls per plant, a great improvement compared to the traditional seed which produces about 50 balls per plant.

According to the source, Cottco is appealing to Government for more foreign currency to import more of this seed with the intention to increase cotton production in order to generate more foreign currency through cotton exports.

The source said Cottco advised Government to give seed houses such as Seedco the rights to breed the Mahyco seed variety locally.

About 300 000 cotton growers are supported by Government through the Presidential Input Scheme. Economic analysts say that it is prudent for Government to encourage these farmers to grow Mayhco seed.

Cottco Head of Operation, Maxmore Njanji commented the results produced by the Mahyco.

“The Mahyco seed is working wonders. We have so far imported 40 metric tonnes from India and we are intending to buy 200 tonnes this year,” he said.

Njanji, however, recommended that Zimbabwe does hybrids and GMO seeds just like what Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and other countries are doing.

Government has committed to assist cotton growers the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme. Producer prices of cotton have been reviewed constantly in the same manner as other prices of other grains have been reviewed. Cotton farmers interviewed by this publication say they are expecting this year’s cotton price to be pegged at US$0.50 or more.