Cotton contractors have distributed seed enough to plant more than 228 300 hectares during the 2025/26 summer cropping season, with industry players optimistic about high yields due to good rains received thus far.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) revealed that the cotton input distribution programme was progressing well, with six contractors having distributed seed to farmers.
By January 8, 2026, contractors had disbursed 78 percent of the seed for the targeted national hectarage of 291 500.
According to the official statistics, registered contractors had disbursed 3 425 135 kilogrammes of cotton seed, enough to plant 228 342 hectares for 138 264 growers.
Alliance Ginneries, Agri Value Chain, Cangrow and Southern Cotton Company surpassed their targeted hectarage after distributing seed enough to cultivate 118 638 ha against the planned 107 000, an 11 percent overshot.
Only one private company did not surpass the targeted hectarage.
The five private companies collectively achieved 109 percent of their targeted 111 500 ha by disbursing inputs for 121 676ha.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB), which is distributing inputs on behalf of the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) under the Presidential Input Programme, has so far distributed 1,6 million kg of seed and 1, 2 million kg of basal fertiliser.
Cottco’s seed dispatch to its 69 629 growers can plant 106 667 ha, representing 59 percent of the planned 180 000 ha.
Cottco is the only contractor offering seed and fertilisers, while other companies are distributing seed only.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association (CPMA) chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi, said this year’s crop was looking good and a great harvest was in the offing.
“The cotton crop is standing healthy and we are poised for a good harvest this year if the current rainfall pattern continues.
“We also call on Cottco to speed up the distribution of basal fertiliser to those areas where it only provided seed to increase productivity,” he said.
Mr Mubonderi said farmers in areas like Chiredzi and Checheche could continue to plant up to mid-January and get a fair harvest.
Last year, the Government allowed the extension of the last planting date to January 31 for the lowveld.
Mr Mubonderi said areas like Chiredzi had recorded bumper harvests from the late-planted crop over the past six years due to changes in seasons.
Experts said areas in the lowveld like Muzarabani, Checheche and Beitbridge could continue to plant this January and still get a good harvest due to good heat units, unlike in the highveld, where winter sets in early.
Mr Lyben Sithole, a Cottco contracted farmer from Munepasi Village in Ward 26 of Chipinge, who is practising commercial cotton production, said he would plant 20 ha this season.
“I have so far planted 14 ha and hope to finish the remainder in the coming days. The rains currently pounding the area have slowed our planting activities. We faced tillage services challenges this year and this slowed our planting activities,” he said.
-herald
