Cotton farmers call for payment of outstanding dues
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer-Agribusiness
STAKEHOLDERS in the cotton industry have called on merchants to settle outstanding payments to farmers for seed cotton deliveries and grade-based differentials for past seasons.
This comes as consultations are underway between the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and value chain players to determine the marketing framework and pricing structure for seed cotton ahead of the 2025 marketing season.
A number of contractors, including Cottco, still owe farmers money from last season.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association (CPMA) chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi, said it was important for farmers to be paid early.
“Restoration of confidence in the cotton industry is now and this starts by the payment of all outstanding payments from previous seasons. Ginners must also commit to paying growers competitive prices on time this coming marketing season,” he said.
AMA emphasised the importance of prompt payments to curb side marketing and restore farmer confidence.
Some contractors have however highlighted that funding was being mobilised to settle outstanding payments.
A stakeholder meeting that brought together representatives from major cotton contractors, farmers’ unions, processors and sectoral experts was recently held in Harare.
AMA’s acting chief executive Mr Jonathan Mukuruba said they were working closely with all key players in the cotton sector to agree on marketing modalities that are fair, sustainable and responsive to the realities of this season.
“Part of our mandate as the regulator is to ensure fair pricing for both farmers and buyers,” he said.
Mr Mukuruba said discussions were still ongoing but one of the key issues was the proposal to open the marketing season in June 2025, with a six-week buying window aimed at containing operational costs and streamlining logistics.
Participants were also invited to submit proposals for the cotton sub-sector development in preparation for broader value chain investment and reform.
Meanwhile, in a recent X post, Cottco disclosed that picking of seed cotton had intensified in some areas especially for the early planted crop.
“A Mahuwe farmer has just picked 17 bales in one go with six hectares still being picked. They are on track to surpass 50 bales.
“Mr Gift Nyamaharo of Mutoko Central’s Chikombonye area, contracted for four hectares and expecting 18 bales, has already loaded 12 bales,” said Cottco.
Cotton production is this year expected to increase by 52 percent.
The second Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment report (CLAFA-2) for the 2024/25 summer season has revealed that seed cotton production will increase by 52 percent from 40 221 tonnes in the 2023/24 season to 61 289 tonnes in this season.
According to the report, 122 493 hectares were put under cotton, with Mashonaland Central, Midlands and Manicaland provinces accounting for 80 percent of the total area.
Mashonaland Central had the largest hectarage of 39 452, followed by Midlands with 38 125ha and Manicaland on the third position at 20 020 ha.
Mashonaland West is expected to have the highest average yield of 0, 63 tonnes per hectare, with Midlands on second at 0, 61t/ha and Matabeleland South following on 0, 53t/ha.
The overall expected average yield of 0,5 tonnes per hectare this year is set to double last year’s 0, 26t/ha.
The post Cotton farmers call for payment of outstanding dues appeared first on herald.