Published: 13 May 2014

Zimbabwe's cotton production is estimated to increase by 31 percent this year due to the good rains received in most parts of the country, the growers' association said yesterday.

Output for the season which ended March this year, is projected to rise to 190 million kgs from 145 million in 2012/2013 season, the Cotton Growers Association said.

Cotton remains one of the country's largest foreign currency earners, but production remains constrained due to the lack of agricultural technology and stiff competition from subsidised growers in countries such as the United States and India.

Zimbabwe is yet to embrace genetically modified crops, but industry players believe the country could significantly increase output if farmers were allowed to grow GMO cotton.

Small scale farmers, numbering nearly 200 000, grow about 98 percent of cotton under various contract farming schemes.
- The Herald

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