Cotton Association of Zambia – CAZ has said that cotton production will this 2018/2019 farming season fall by 40% largely on account of poor rainfall pattern experienced in some part of the country.
The association said that a survey conducted has indicated that most of cotton crop in provinces affected by drought was destroyed affecting the yield of the crop this year.
The association said it will this week release the buying price of cotton from farmers which will be set according to the harvest for this season so as to encourage farmers to venture into cotton farming in the 2019-2020 farming season.
And Cotton Association Executive Director Joseph Nkole had told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that cotton has the potential to generate approximately $80 to $90 million dollars annually.
He said government should consider large investments in cotton production as the sector has the potential to generate more revenue.
Nkole said that the K1.7 billion that government spends on maize production every year should be spent alongside other cash crops like cotton which has the potential to increase the country’s foreign exchange.
“Cotton is a very profitable crop that has the potential to earn a lot of foreign exchange for the country. We need government to invest heavily in cotton growing and production.
Nkole also said that Cotton just like any other crop is affected by advice weather patterns like prolonged dry spells but that the cotton plant has stronger roots that enables it survive harsh weather condition and produce crops though not a bumper harvest.
