Cottco starts distributing inputs

Distribution of cotton inputs under the state-assisted funding scheme, known as Presidential Free Cotton Inputs, is expected to start soon but Cottco, which administers the programme is yet to receive adequate inputs for the season, official records show.

Government records gleaned by this publication, show that Cottco has only received about 9 000 tonnes basal fertiliser, against a target of 52 000 tonnes to support 520 000 households.

About 3 600 tonnes of seed have been received out of 5 200 earmarked for the season.

The Government is the major financier of cotton, accounting for 85 percent of the funding.

“There were some (payment) delays by the Treasury but we are expecting more inputs to be delivered to Cottco to avoid any disruptions,” said a senior official in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development said.

Calls seeking comment from Munyaradzi Chikasha, Cottco acting accounting officer, were not answered.

Cotton is mainly grown by rural farmers, with the majority (about 85 percent) supported by the Government.

Under the scheme, farmers get free inputs including, seed, basal, and top dressing fertiliser as well as chemicals. Cottco, which administers the scheme also provides tillage services.

The scheme was launched in 2014 in a bid to boost yields after output plummeted to 28 000 tonnes, the lowest yield in nearly two decades after the 1992 drought.

Since the launch of the State-assisted scheme, production has been steadily going up with occasional dips in drought years.

The scheme has helped in the resuscitation of the cotton industry, which is a major source of employment for countryside farmers. This year, cotton production declined to about 54 000 tonnes from 132 000 tonnes last year mainly due to poor rains.-newsday