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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 45229, member: 636"]
Cotton experts told farmers and buyers they must improve how they grow and handle their crops. Officials from the Agricultural Marketing Authority showed new testing boxes that help judge cotton quality across Zimbabwe. Edgar Mudokwani spoke for the authority and explained that cotton gets sorted into four groups called A, B, C and D. Workers will use these special boxes to check every batch of cotton that farmers bring to market. The better quality cotton earns farmers more money when they sell their harvest.

Most cotton grown during 2024 received poor grades because farmers faced many problems. Only four percent of the total crop earned the top A grade that buyers really want. Weather damage and bad farming methods caused 91 percent of cotton to fall into the lowest C and D categories. Farmers who grow Grade A cotton receive 42 cents per pound compared to just 30 cents for Grade C quality. The authority wants to change these numbers and help more farmers earn better prices.

Officials set up 697 places around the country where farmers can sell their cotton during 2025. Export companies buy 70 percent of cotton grown across Zimbabwe and demand high standards. Buyers must show farmers exactly what grade their cotton received within one week of testing. The authority warned farmers against cheating by adding rocks or water to make their cotton bags heavier. Such tricks damage the reputation of all cotton farmers and hurt future sales.
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