GOVERNMENT has summoned the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) over US$6,8 million it owes farmers.
Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka told legislators during Parliament’s question and answer session that Cottco has promised to pay farmers.
“Government is concerned by the delayed payments, which is why we summoned Cottco officials to get an understanding on why these delays are persisting when others have almost completed paying their contracted growers,” he said.
“We take their word as Cottco that they will be able to make good on the outstanding US$6,8 million to farmers before the end of this month as they are now able to sell the cotton.
“We had meetings with companies that help farmers like the Zimbabwe Farmers Union and others, we will be supervising as Government, so that farmers get the necessary inputs and are paid early if they deliver their cotton.”
He added government needed information from all the contractors and farmers so that it can determine where there might be gaps in terms of information.
The central bank set the export retention threshold for cotton farmers at 85%.
Cotton is one the country’s major agricultural export commodities and is mainly grown by small-scale farmers.
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