The Cotton Association of Zambia – CAZ has attributed poor cotton yields to the use of poor seed quality and luck of prioritized cotton farming in the country.
Association Outreach and Membership Services Manager Gerald Kachali says there is needs for cotton farmers in the country to use substandard seed and prioritize the production of cotton in order to improve on the yields.
Kachali says other factors that leads to poor yields of the crop is due to late plantation of the crop as farmers first focus on planting other crops such as maize before they can engage in cotton planting.
He also says poor management of the crop when it comes to pest control and withering is also a contributing factor among other.
“Farmers should ensure that they use seed that is certified by the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) based in Chilanga Mount Makulu as that gives the assurance that it is sourced from a trusted breeder,” he said.
Kachali has explained that the certified seeds maintains the variety of purity which ensures good yields. He added that the one of the trusted breeders in Zambia is the Cotton Development Trust in Magoye, Mazabuka and has since urged farmers to take advantage of buying good quality certified seeds.
