Zimbabwe farmers refuse to harvest cotton; seek more price
May 11, 2012
Most cotton cultivators in Zimbabwe have not yet begun picking up the crop,
though the bulk of the cotton crop is ready for harvesting.
The cotton growers are demanding an increase in price offered to them from
the current US$ 0.35 per kg to US$ 1 per kg.
Moreover, cotton-buying points have not been opened so far, which is
negatively impacting the cotton farmers in the country who rely on cash from
cotton for paying school fees of their children and buying essential items.
Analysts say this year’s cotton price has been affected by the market demand
and supply situation. The favourable prices offered last year, along with
the Presidential Well Wishers Scheme and contract farming, have attracted
more farmers to growing the crop this year.
As a result, the area under cotton cultivation this year has risen to
432,709 hectares from last season’s 379,689 hectares.