The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) is forecasting a harvest of between 60,000 and 70,000 metric tons for the 2024-25 summer growing season, thanks to favorable rainfall.

Sifelani Jabangwe, Board Chairman, COTTCO, states, stakeholders in the agricultural sector are currently in discussions to determine this year's cotton prices as the marketing season approaches.

Looking forward to a good harvest due, the organization aims to increase its cotton production to 60,000 to 70,000 metric tons this season as against 13,000 metric produced in the 2023-24 season when a El Nino-induced drought impacted production, he adds.

Stewart Muboderi, Chairman, Cotton Producers and Marketers Association, affirms, good rains in this season will help achieve the set target. The association aims to formulate a favorable pricing structure to motivate farmers as it engages on the marketing season's prices with the Agricultural Marketing Authority, he adds.

Most cotton farmers received supplies under the Presidential Inputs Scheme this season. The program provides free support to cotton growers in the form of seeds, base and top-dressing fertilizer, and chemicals.

While the initiative has been beneficial, there have been increasing concerns about side marketing (selling inputs or harvested cotton outside the official channels) and the misuse of supplies. This has led to calls for an audit to ensure the resources are being used properly.

Some experts have suggested moving away from a free input model to a credit-based system, arguing that it would encourage greater accountability and long-term sustainability.

Meanwhile, many local farmers have stopped growing cotton due to low profits and unfair payment practices. In some instances, farmers were reportedly paid in groceries rather than cash, making it difficult for them to cover essential household expenses. Others have abandoned cotton farming because of poor market prices and delays in payment from COTTCO.