The Cotton Association of Zambia has commenced country-wide training programmes in bio-energy production and cotton value-chain development for all member cotton growers.
Cotton Association of Zambia Executive Director Joseph Nkole says as part of the organizations contribution to the fight against climate change through sustainable industrialisation, member training programs in the manufacturing of briquettes made from cotton stalks – hitherto, a waste from cotton harvest – is underway.
This came to light when representatives of the Cotton Association of Zambia made a presentation on “Empowering Smallholder Famers along the Cotton Value Chain” to Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu at the latter’s office in Lusakat on February 11, 2020.
Nkole explained that the use of cotton stalks manufacturing briquettes had significantly improved revenue earnings for participating members.
He said further that the association is currently collaborating with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD] to develop skills in bio-energy production among member cotton growers adding that it will contribute to reduced dependency on the national grid for farm electric power.
He confirmed that following the financial stimulus receive from the Government through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Program and other trade financing facilities from development partners, cotton output has significantly improved and has positioned the country as one of the leading producers in the region.
The association submitted that cotton production still provides the most significant opportunity for smallholder farmers to venture in cash crop farming.
Nkole disclosed that over one-thousand farmers from Southern, Muchinga, Eastern, Central, and Lusaka provinces have been trained in cotton-value-chain skills through a GRZ, European Union and COMESA jointly managed programme that is targeted at upgrading their produce to export standard.
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Ng’andu commended the association for its efforts in improving the livelihoods of rural folk as it was in the right direction in the country’s quest to re-establish the textile
industry.
The Minister applauded the association for establishing members’ skills development programmes and for creating job opportunities, especially for the youth, through the cotton-value-chain.
“We need to stop environmental degradation by reducing deforestation so that climatic conditions are stabilized,” commented the Minister on the Cotton Association’s contribution to the fight against climate change through sustainable industrialisation programmes such as the manufacture of briquettes and bio-energy production.
The Minister decried the rapid loss of forest cover due to unregulated cutting of trees but was encouraged by the association’s youth empowerment programmes aimed at sustainable use of natural resources and agriculture value-chain products.
“As Government, we want your programme to succeed,” said the Minister. This is according to a statement made available to the Zambain Business Times- ZBT by the Ministry’s Spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta on February 11, 2020.
