Cotton farmers in Sanyati optimistic

COTTON farmers in Sanyati and surrounding areas are optimistic of higher yields, with sampling by Government showing a significant increase in average hectarage per farmer this season.

The development has been attributed to Government’s focused support and subsidy under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme.

Indications are that cropping per each farmer was above 50 percent, compared to 30 percent last season.
Acting Sanyati district agronomist Mr Gift Goto said samples in the area showed that farmers were embracing the drive to increase production of cotton, buoyed by Government subsidies.

“From sampled households to assess crops, we discovered that the land holding, that is the available land for cropping per farmer, most are using almost 50 percent of land for cotton farming,” said Mr Goto.
“This is a marked improvement from between 30 and 40 percent last season.

“This augers well considering that Sanyati has a got a comparative advantage in terms of cotton growing.”
Mr Goto said while actual figures of the yield were not available, there were positive signs. Government subsidies, he said, had contributed to improved production and expected yields this season.

“As of this season, we don’t have conclusive figures of cotton sold by farmers so far, but the general outlook of yield is that there is an improvement which can be attributed to Government subsidies through free inputs scheme. It gave room for more farmers to take up cotton farming,” said Mr Goto.