Beatific
Gumbwanda
Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – The Cotton Company of
Zimbabwe (Cottco) has congratulated Chiredzi district for being the top
producer of cotton in the 2018 cropping season.
Zimbabwe (Cottco) has congratulated Chiredzi district for being the top
producer of cotton in the 2018 cropping season.
The district produced 35 000 tonnes
of cotton, with Ranganai Muzivirwa – who was named best farmer – winning a tractor,
a farm trailer and a three-disc plough worth more than $100 000.
of cotton, with Ranganai Muzivirwa – who was named best farmer – winning a tractor,
a farm trailer and a three-disc plough worth more than $100 000.
Muzivirwa, who has won many merit
awards from Cottco over the past years, last season delivered a record 13.3
tons to Cottco from his 3.5 hectare dry plot; the best single production by one
farmer among all the country 400 000 cotton farmers.
awards from Cottco over the past years, last season delivered a record 13.3
tons to Cottco from his 3.5 hectare dry plot; the best single production by one
farmer among all the country 400 000 cotton farmers.
At the prize-giving ceremony in
Ward 27, Chiredzi District Administrator (DA), Lovemore Chisema said government
was serious about revamping the agricultural sector.
Ward 27, Chiredzi District Administrator (DA), Lovemore Chisema said government
was serious about revamping the agricultural sector.
“Cottco has four business units in
the whole country which are Sanyati, Honde Valley, Gokwe and Chiredzi. In the
last season, more than 400 000 farmers participated in the presidential cotton
input scheme in which Mr Muzivirwa was confirmed to be the best farmer of the
year,” said Chisema.
the whole country which are Sanyati, Honde Valley, Gokwe and Chiredzi. In the
last season, more than 400 000 farmers participated in the presidential cotton
input scheme in which Mr Muzivirwa was confirmed to be the best farmer of the
year,” said Chisema.
Chisema said the decision to award the price
was reached after considering many issues.
was reached after considering many issues.
“Cottco considered so many things before
giving Mr Muzivirwa this prize. They considered the size of the yield, cotton
grade and tonnage per hectare. On the 3.5ha he planted, he produced 60 bales
with an average weight of 250kg. This translated to 13 200kg and this happened
in the Lowveld which is in natural farming region 5.
giving Mr Muzivirwa this prize. They considered the size of the yield, cotton
grade and tonnage per hectare. On the 3.5ha he planted, he produced 60 bales
with an average weight of 250kg. This translated to 13 200kg and this happened
in the Lowveld which is in natural farming region 5.
“This is a clear testimony that
government through the Cottco is committed to the upliftment of the lives of
our farmers. Good farmers must be supported; Mr Muzivirwa has set an example that
even if we are in region 5, it is possible to produce the best cotton yields in
the whole country,” Chisema said.
government through the Cottco is committed to the upliftment of the lives of
our farmers. Good farmers must be supported; Mr Muzivirwa has set an example that
even if we are in region 5, it is possible to produce the best cotton yields in
the whole country,” Chisema said.
Cottco Chiredzi business manager, Munyaradzi
Chikasha urged local cotton farmers to emulate the good work which done by
Muzivirwa.
Chikasha urged local cotton farmers to emulate the good work which done by
Muzivirwa.
“This is a clear testimony that if
you follow what your extension workers teach you, it becomes possible to
produce more tonnage per hectare. As we enter into the new season, let us press
on and double our production capacity,” said Chikasha.
you follow what your extension workers teach you, it becomes possible to
produce more tonnage per hectare. As we enter into the new season, let us press
on and double our production capacity,” said Chikasha.
