Zambia's 2014-15 cotton output up by 20,000 tonnes

The seed cotton production increased to whopping 1,15,000 metric tonnes in the 2014-2015 agricultural season compared to 95,000 metric tonnes in the 2013-2014 season, according to the Zambia Cotton Ginners Association.

 “The increase in cotton production could be attributed to the continued private sector-led input and market service delivery by the ginning companies. Ginning companies spent $16 million in input provision to cotton farmers and were able to recover an average of 80 per cent input loans at marketing from the farmers,” said Bourne Chooka, executive secretary of association, in a media statement.

The Code of Conduct signed by ginners before the beginning of the 2014-2015 season improved the rate of input loan recovery from an average 65 per cent to 80 per cent, said Chooka.

The strict monitoring of the Cotton Act by the Cotton Board of Zambia to prevent side buying of cotton by ginners was also stated as a reason by Chooka for the increased cotton production.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Cotton Board of Zambia for ensuring that farmers only sold to ginners who had financed them in advance with inputs. He said that the total support programmes and guaranteed market for products was attracting more farmers each year to join programmes undertaken by ginners. (HO)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India