Cotton players urged to participate in the cotton act amendment process
Cotton players urged to participate in the cotton act amendment process

The government has urged players in the cotton industry to participate in the process of amending the Cotton Act No 21 of 2005 to make it responsive to challenges in the sector.

Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo says stakeholders should participate by making submissions to the ministry on the review of the act to make it responsive to the needs of the sector.  Mr. Mtolo said the government is determined to address challenges in the cotton sector to enhance productivity.

He also said there is a need for capacity building to empower and strengthen the smallholder cotton farmers in the industry.  And the minister has tasked the Cotton Association of Zambia to do more to improve the farmer organization, financial capacity, and partnership relationship with cotton ginners. He said this in a speech read on his behalf by ministry Director Seed Control and Certification Institute Francisco Mitti at the cotton development trust cotton field day in Magoye.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mtolo has urged researchers, the cotton board of Zambia, and ginners to promote the adoption of low-cost sustainable cotton production technologies to small-scale farmers in order to improve gross margins. He says the price setting of seed cotton must be transparent and fair for both players to ensure equitable sharing of not only risks but also profits.

And Cotton development trust Director Lwisha Silwimba said the overall objective of the institution is to improve cotton production and incomes among small-scale farmers in Zambia.  Mr. Silwimba stated that cotton production occupies an important place in the economic development of the country and deserves adequate support.  He said CDT is ready to provide the technological base for developing the cotton industry in Zambia.

And Cotton Board of Zambia chief executive officer Sunduzwayo Banda says the law is changing to eliminate unfair practices in the industry. He said the board would want farmers to be part of the price determination mechanism.

This year field day was celebrated under the theme “Promoting sustainable and regenerative agricultural technologies amidst climate change “.

Various stakeholders including Agro-dealers, ginners, and seed companies among others took time to showcase the new technologies in the sector.