Zaka records bumper cotton harvest
Sydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
Small-scale cotton farmers in Zaka are expecting a bumper harvest this year and attribute the achievement to the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme.
Most farmers had abandoned the crop citing low prices.
Farmers countrywide have been warming up to cotton production after receiving input support from Government.
Cotton prices are also firming on the international market.
Mushaya Ward 27 Councillor in Zaka Cde Bernard Chinaka paid tribute to the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for boosting cotton production in the district.
“Most farmers are very excited because of good prospects of a bumper harvest of cotton in a season where rains were good and most of us had sufficient inputs after getting support from Government.”
“Zaka used to be a major cotton producing area in the past before the situation got bad because of poor prices and many farmers are happy that the situation has changed for the better and future prospects are even encouraging,” said Cde Chinaka.
“As a result of this development, we are expecting a bumper harvest from the white gold and this will definitely change our livelihoods.”
Cde Chinaka urged the Government to expand inputs support to farmers next season.
Government has been working tirelessly to revive the cotton industry.
The crop has potential to earn the country foreign currency.
Its production will also revive companies like David Whitehead.