Cotton picking has started across Zimbabwe as Cottco ramps up its operations for the upcoming marketing season. The company works to pay farmers money owed from last season and hires trucks to move the harvest. Cottco acting head Rockie Mutenha said they contracted over 109,000 hectares and expect at least 60,000 tonnes of seed cotton. He urged farmers who need picking bags or woolpacks to visit their local business units. The marketing season will begin in just a few weeks.
Cottco has asked truck companies to sign up for its transport database. They need vehicles that can carry seven to 30 tonnes to move cotton bales from collection points to processing centers in Chinhoyi, Chiredzi, Gokwe, Kadoma, Sanyati, and Muzarabani. Interested truckers must submit company papers like incorporation certificates, vehicle registrations, fitness certificates, and business references. Cottco leads the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for cotton producers throughout the country.
The national Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment shows cotton production improved compared to last season. Farmers planted over 122,000 hectares nationwide with good results thanks to better rainfall. Mashonaland Central planted the most with 39,452 hectares, followed by Midlands with 38,125 and Manicaland with 20,020 hectares. Last year, Zimbabwe harvested only 13,500 tonnes of seed cotton because of drought conditions. This marks a sharp drop from 2023, when the country produced 90,100 tonnes, with Cottco handling 69,200 tonnes of that total.
Cottco has asked truck companies to sign up for its transport database. They need vehicles that can carry seven to 30 tonnes to move cotton bales from collection points to processing centers in Chinhoyi, Chiredzi, Gokwe, Kadoma, Sanyati, and Muzarabani. Interested truckers must submit company papers like incorporation certificates, vehicle registrations, fitness certificates, and business references. Cottco leads the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for cotton producers throughout the country.
The national Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment shows cotton production improved compared to last season. Farmers planted over 122,000 hectares nationwide with good results thanks to better rainfall. Mashonaland Central planted the most with 39,452 hectares, followed by Midlands with 38,125 and Manicaland with 20,020 hectares. Last year, Zimbabwe harvested only 13,500 tonnes of seed cotton because of drought conditions. This marks a sharp drop from 2023, when the country produced 90,100 tonnes, with Cottco handling 69,200 tonnes of that total.
