By Lake Zone Watch Writer
Tanzania Cotton Board (TCB) has reiterated its commitment to see to it that cotton farmers realized their desired productivity and win attractive prices of their precious ‘white gold.’
TCB Chairman Christopher Gachuma said in Mwanza last week that the Board is working tirelessly to empower the farmers with skills to attain good harvests as opposed to today’s unfavourable environment.
He said for many years cotton farmers have only managed to harvest between 200 and 300 kilogrammes per acre, while they could make it to an ambitious 1,000 kilos per acre if application of best practices were anything to go by.
However, good news is that the government has announced an indicative price of 1,060 per kilo effective early May this year, a move targeting not only to motivate farmers but also to protect them against illicit smugglers who used to buy cotton from them at a throw-away price.
On his part, the General Manager of Birmand Oil Mill Ltd Salum Hamis said cotton farmers need to be sentizised with issues pertaining to cotton prices in the world market, so they are able to increase acreage and embrace best farming practices.
He said his company plans to buy between 20,000 and 30,000 bags of cotton this season mainly from farmers in Mwanza, Simiyu and Mara regions.
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