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‘White gold’ farmers plead poverty,

BY MOSES MUGUGUNYEKI

SHAMISO Makechemu of Chiedza village in Kairezi ward 23 in Muzarabani district was forced to sell her two heifers to raise money to take her daughter to St Albert Hospital where she had been referred by the local clinic.

Makechemu had to sell the heifers because that was the only way she could support her daughter, who had to deliver via caesarean section.

Despite having two hectares of cotton, ready for harvest and outstanding money she is owed by the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) from last year’s produce, Makechemu had no option but to sell the two beasts for a song.

“If I did not have those two heifers what would have happened to my daughter, who had pregnancyrelated complications?” she asked rhetorically.

“I had a cotton crop that was ready for harvest and no one wanted to buy the crop,” Makechemu told The Standard.

“They said they will have problems selling it and I had no choice, but to sell the two heifers.

“The hospital wanted US$250 for the operation and transport for both of us was around $60.

“I even sold one of my smartphones to add to the money I had realised from the sale of the heifers.”

Makechemu is among thousands of cotton farmers across the country that are considering dumping cotton farming as they continue receiving a wooden spoon for their sweat.

The farmers said cotton companies, especially Cottco, should process payments timeously and come up with competitive pricing regimes that are supported by favourable policies.

Cotton farmers are owed $1,5 billion by Cottco from last year’s deliveries.

At the time, the producer price of cotton was pegged at US$1,75 per kilogramme.

Makechemu said she was tired of empty promises from cotton companies and is contemplating switching to other cash crops such as sesame and sorghum.

She and her husband have had a cotton produce of exceptional quality every year, making them popular in their community.

Like any other farmer in Muzarabani, Makechemu was lured to grow the “white gold” by the attractive returns.

“In the past, cotton was the crop of choice here in Muzarabani,” she said.

“We knew that every year we would have enough money to send our children to school, buy food and clothes.

“This is not the case any more because no one is there to support the industry.”

Blasio Nhengo, who coordinates cotton growing in Kairezi Central, said growing the crop was no longer viable and was driving them into poverty.

“In the past, cotton companies supported the production of the crop and were guaranteed produce whenever we harvest,” Nhengo said.

“They processed the payments on time and everyone ended up being a cotton farmer.”

“Fast-track to 2020 and 2021, farmers are yet to be paid, for last year’s produce.

“I know someone who is owed money for 23 bales of cotton and this year, that same person has 46 bales.

“I think government should do something otherwise people will stop growing the crop.”

Farmers said they were hoping government would expedite payments to motivate them to continue growing the crop.

“I grew cotton on a small plot last time because it is my passion, but I am planning to diversify and grow sesame,” said Innocent Chigarira of Chikara village in ward 23.

“I am considering quitting cotton growing if the situation continues like this.”

Last month, Lands ministry secretary John Basera appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands where he told MPs that the Finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe were working out modalities to give Cottco the money to pay the farmers.

Farmers were assured that they would get their outstanding payments from last marketing season by May 31.

“Government is being deceitful. They asked us to supply them with our details and we did that.

“We are surprised that up to now we have not received any cent

LOCAL NEWS

en-zw

2021-06-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digital.alphamedia.co.zw/article/281560883751814

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