Cotton industry faces collapse

By Tichaona Sibanda
24 May 2007

The state controlled Herald newspaper reported on Thursday that the country’s once-thriving cotton industry faces collapse and the situation is so serious there could be no cotton next year.

The paper said the reason for the crisis is the prevalence of side-marketing, which sees cotton growers selling their crops to unregistered dealers instead of those they were contracted to produce for.

Seiso Moyo, a national executive member of the MDC responsible for lands and agriculture, said it is a misrepresentation of facts to blame the shortages of cotton on farmers who are selling to unregistered dealers. He claimed most of the unregistered dealers are Zanu (PF) heavyweights who are hoarding the cotton and selling it back to government at exorbitant prices.

‘There is no shortage of cotton in the country. Cotton is being grown but where it is going after being delivered is the question that needs answers. But that should not be a surprise because all major industries in the country are being monopolised by Zanu (PF) officials and this includes the cotton industry,’ Moyo.

Rob Jarvis, managing director of Quton Seed company is quoted by the Herald saying around 19 000 tonnes of cotton planted this year was earmarked for seed to ensure next years crop, but much is being sold to illegal buyers.

‘Despite the fact that we have an industry body backed by government to prevent cotton being sold to buyers who have not financed its production, it is still happening. Now next season’s crop is under threat since this year’s seed multiplication crop, specially grown to become next year’s seed, is part of this illicit trade. If this is not stopped immediately there will be no cotton crop next year,’ Jarvis said.

Moyo said the problem could be solved by strict monitoring of the movement of cotton because most of it was being held by top government and Zanu (PF) cronies.