CommuTalk Reporter
GOKWE: Cotton farmers in Gokwe North district are receiving cash payments upon delivery of their produce to COTTCO depots, a move that has been welcome by farmers who have started to realize the fruits of their investments.
Previously, COTTCO dealt with agents which they say was threatening trade in the white gold sector as dealers took advantage of the bureaucracy associated with payments of the produce which was not favourable to farmers.
COTTCO is also confident the current payment system will see the government entity attracting more produce to the enterprise and act as a motivation to farmers in the rural set up.
“We now have an accounts office at the receiving depots whose sole purpose is to ensure that farmers go back home smiling after receiving their cash for the produce delivered. The least grade is receiving 30 cents a kg.
“We used to use electronic payments in the past. However, such payments were not favourable to our farmers most of whom seem to prefer cash. We anticipate to get some huge deliveries this season if we are to judge by the response of farmers since the harvesting season commenced,” said COTTCO area manager Setanai Dhihori.
Farmers have heaped praises on the government entity for addressing their concerns through the cash payment system which they said has made their lives easy.
Government announced that the cotton marketing season commenced on the 9th of this month where the minimum seed cotton prices for the season will be paid out in a 70 to 30 percent ratio in US dollar and ZiG currencies respectively.
The minimum producer prices for cotton have been set per grade as follows; Grade A 41cents per kg, Grade B 37 cents per kg, Grade C 34cents per kg while Grade D is selling at 30 cents per kg.
