Govt raises cotton production forecast
LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
Cotton production is expected to go up 31% to over 152 000 metric tonnes (MT) during the 2022/2023 summer cropping season from around 116 000MT achieved in the previous season following good rains across the country, a government report shows.
“Cotton production is estimated at 152 472 MT in the 2022/2023 season, a 31% increase from 116 521 MT produced in the 2021/2022 season,” reads part of the report.
The output of raw cotton fibre, one of Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural commodities, is on a rebound following the government’s support under the Presidential Input Scheme.
The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe, which administers the government’s inputs scheme accounts for 85% of national production.
Cotton farmers had a fair season; good rains in most cotton growing areas and production is expected to improve further.
Chairman of the Cotton Producers and Marketing Association, Steward Mubonderi said while a minimum production of 150 000 tonnes was expected this year, it would be higher if the output from the private merchants was factored in.
“From the state-funded crop, we are projecting at least 150 000 tonnes but the national output will be higher because some cotton was funded by private players,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s cotton season runs in two phases, including the growing season from September to December, and the harvesting and sales period from May to August.
Farmers will be paid 85% in US dollars and the remainder in local currency at the official interbank rate.
“We are happy with the foreign currency retention threshold but we implore the cotton companies to avail enough cash at buying points to avoid delays in the payments,” Mubonderi said.
Cottco has already indicated its intention to raise US$34m to buy raw cotton during the upcoming intake season, which traditionally begins in May.
The company is talking to local banks to provide the facilities and negotiations are at various stages.
Nearly 350 000 farmers were contracted to grow cotton under the Presidential Inputs Scheme last year and planted about 250 000 hectares.
Running for the eighth straight season, the State-assisted scheme has seen cotton production recovering.
Apart from free inputs, farmers also receive tillage services and agronomy support.
At peak, Zimbabwe produced 351 000 tonnes of cotton in the 2010/11 season and the government has since set a target to raise production to 300 000 tonnes by 2025.
Zimbabwe mainly uses open-pollinated varieties but indications are that production could go up to as much as 600 000 tonnes with the use of hybrid seeds.
