Industrial Cluster: Zimbabwean Farmers Have Planted About 255000 Hectares Of Cotton

Under the Presidential Inputs Scheme, nearly 350000 Zimbabwean farmers have signed cotton planting contracts and planted about 255000 hectares of cotton.

The Zimbabwe Cotton Company (Cottco), which manages the scheme, said that 5100 tons of seeds and 24000 tons of basic fertilizers had been distributed.

According to the plan, farmers can get base fertilizer and top dressing fertilizer, seeds and chemicals for free.

Munyaradzi Chikasha, acting accountant of the cotton company, said on Tuesday: "Most of the cotton production areas are experiencing rainfall, and many farmers have sown seeds."

In Gokwe and Sanyati, the two largest cotton producing areas, farmers have completed planting. Chikasha said, "Even if there is a light rain every week or two in these areas, we should be able to obtain good yields."

The national subsidy plan was implemented for the eighth consecutive quarter, with an average of 400000 families receiving free inputs.

Although there is occasional yield decline in the dry season, the cotton yield increased from 28000 tons in 2014, the lowest level in nearly 20 years, to 145000 tons in 2017/18.

In addition to free input, farmers also receive farming services and agronomic support.

The plan helps to fill the gap left by private contractors who reduce their investment due to low returns.

Zimbabwe produced 351000 tons of cotton at the peak of cotton production in 2010/11. Since then, the government has set the goal of increasing the output to 300000 tons by 2025.

The country mainly uses open pollination varieties, but there are indications that the production of hybrid seeds can reach 600000 tons.

Experts are urging the government to increase the use of hybrid seeds to increase productivity and reduce the risk of crop failure.