Chipinge Cotton Farmers Plead With Government

By Success Majaramhepo

Cotton farmers in Chipinge have called upon the government to increase cotton buyers after the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe failed to pay for the produce despite having an agreement. At the same time, the company is being accused of abusing the office of the President to manipulate the local cotton farmers. The mere mentioning of the office of the President is allegedly used to cushion the company from being questioned by local cotton farmers. In Chipinge district, there used to be five cotton companies that included COTTCO. However, as of today there is only COTTCO operating in the district.

Speaking during a meeting hosted by Platform for youth and community Development (PYCD) Chipinge, Ward 25 Councilor Wishes Hama said cotton farmers have entered into contracts with COTCO which is now manipulating farmers paying them with groceries instead of honoring their agreement.

“COTCO has disappointed us as cotton farmers in Chipinge. We are growing cotton for nothing because we are not being paid as agreed in the initial agreement. The company had a unilateral decision on paying us using groceries instead of monetary terms and the sad part is that the groceries are not equivalent to our produce. We are urging the government to increase cotton buyers for the sake of fairness and value for money.” said Hama

Another farmer, Sekai Taruvinga from Ward 20 in Chipinge said they are no longer able to send their children to school.

“I ventured into cotton farming in the early 90s and that is our source of livelihood and security. I am having a nightmare as the capacity to send children to school is being compromised through what the company is paying us. What boggles my mind is how did the company to such a decision and how did they evaluate the produce?”

“In Chipinge we do not have large portions of land to grow cotton so we rely on other people's land which we pay rent annually. This season I don’t know how am I going to pay my Landlord since COTCO hasn’t paid me. I sold 3 bales of cotton but was only given 750 milliliters of cooking oil, so tell me where am I going to get money to pay my land lord,” said Taruvinga

PYCD Director Claris Madhuku said cotton farmers are considering abandoning cotton farming to Sesame which is not a good option considering that region 5 is more conducive to cotton Farming.

"Cotton farmers in Chipinge have spoken out loud and clear. If there is no meaningful platform for dialogue with Cotton Companies concerning the market, farmers are considering abandoning cotton farming to Sesame (Uninga). This will not be a good option considering that region 5 is more conducive for cotton farming which has largely been responsible for sustaining 90 percent of peasant farmers in the area," said Madhuku.

However, the company is confirming paying cotton farmers in groceries but is putting the blame on the liquidity crunch currently facing the country.

“We have been paying some of the farmers using groceries. We are not reneging on the contracts we entered with the farmers, but we are giving them a choice of either receiving cash or groceries. As a company, we had committed to pay the farmers in United States dollars, cash in local currency or through mobile transfers, but due to the liquidity crunch, we have been forced to opt for the groceries. Farmers can either take the groceries or wait for cash as we are not forcing anyone.” Pious Manamike who the COTTCO Managing Director said

Chipinge is an agrarian society and PYCD has chipped in by working with various civic society groups to address issues affecting livelihoods in communities.