Contract farming to be streamlined

Dar es Salaam. Cotton stakeholders are making headway in streamlining contract farming ahead of this year’s season that starts in November.

Some ginnery owners yesterday pledged to support the government’s push for contract farming. They believe if well implemented, contract farming will lead to increased cotton production.

This comes weeks after cotton stakeholders met in Mwanza and announced a ‘No Investment, No Cotton’ policy in a bid to streamline contract farming.

“We will continue to work closely with the government towards improving production,” said Mr Amini Ladhani of Mwatex Ltd. In the last season, the company spent over Sh100 million on supporting contract farming. Contract farming gives the right of buying cotton only to ginnery companies that provided inputs, pesticides and certified seeds to farmers prior to a planting season.

“Our role as district commissioners is to attract sufficient investments to support farmers in cotton production to raise incomes for farmers and the district as well,” said Magu District commissioner Jacqueline Liana. “Embracing the government directive may lead to a revenue increase from cotton in the district by as much as 50 per cent. If the farmers get access to credit then growing cotton becomes more productive for them.”

District authorities have been conducting meetings with ginners to explain the importance of their investment commitment. “We want them to increasingly support farmers, Ms Liana said.

According to Tanzania Cotton Board (TCB) acting zonal manager Kalidushi Buluma, ginners and Tanzania Cotton Association officials last month met and came up with a roadmap for use in contract farming.