Rainy season disrupts cotton input distribution

Persistent rains have hampered the timely disbursement of cotton inputs in Zimbabwe, with only 28 percent of the targeted 269,000 hectares covered by the five registered contractors, according to statistics released by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) on November 27.

A total of 1,128 tonnes of cotton seed has been distributed, enough to plant 75,198 hectares for 43,787 growers. Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco), the largest contractor, supplied the majority of inputs, distributing 584 tonnes of seed capable of covering 38,933 hectares, along with 655 tonnes of lime and 75 tonnes of basal fertilizer. Despite this, Cottco has achieved just 22 percent of its target of 180,000 hectares.

Agri-Value Chain (AVC) distributed 329 tonnes of seed, enough for 21,932 hectares, exceeding its target of 20,000 hectares by 10 percent. Southern Cotton Company (SCC) covered 40 percent of its 19,000-hectare target, while Alliance Ginneries reached only 17 percent of its 35,000 hectares. Cangrow lagged behind, distributing 10 tonnes of seed for 638 hectares, just four percent of its 15,000-hectare target.

Cotton Producers and Marketers Association (CPMA) chairman Stewart Mubonderi expressed concern over the slow distribution of inputs, particularly with the rainy season already underway. "We are worried that the distribution of inputs to farmers is very slow. We want all growers to get their inputs in time to plant with the first rains for a good harvest," he said. Mubonderi cited bureaucratic delays between the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and Cottco as contributing factors.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) cotton commodity chairman Clemency Gondo echoed these concerns, noting that input disbursement by merchants has been sporadic and irregular, with potential budget constraints also affecting distribution.

In response, AMA recently issued Regulatory Circular No. 3 of 2025, outlining rules for cotton input distribution and penalties for non-compliance. Contractors are required to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Authority at the start of each season, use AMA's central registration system for farmer onboarding, and ensure contracts with farmers are signed in triplicate, specifying hectarage and distributed inputs. Contractors must submit one copy of each contract to AMA by December 31. The Authority warned that fines and penalties will be imposed on those who fail to comply.

Zimbabwe aims to achieve cotton yields of 189,000 tonnes during the 2025/26 season, representing a dramatic 575 percent increase from this year's 28.9 million kilograms. However, delays in input distribution and persistent rains threaten to undermine these ambitious targets, raising concerns about whether the country can meet its production goals.