The Government of Swaziland, through the Cotton Board, has raised the price of cotton to be paid to the farmers by seven percent for 2013-14 season.
The increase in cotton price, which will benefit about 3,000 farmers, was announced by Minister of Agriculture Moses Vilakati at a press conference in Mbabane, reports Times of Swaziland.
Despite the current trading difficulties, the Government has decided to increase the cotton price for this season by over seven percent from the current E5.45 per kg to E5.85 per kg for top grade cotton, the Minister said.
Mr. Vilakati said cotton is a major cash crop for farmers in the country’s Middlevel and Lowveld regions. He added that the Swazi cotton industry has been struggling due to drought and unstable cotton prices.
In accordance with the objectives mentioned in the Government’s strategy for turn-around of the cotton sector, the Ministry is committed to revive the industry as a means to fight against poverty and unemployment in the rural areas, he said.
Earlier this year, the Swaziland Government constructed a ginnery in Big Bend town, as part of its measures to boost cotton production in the country.
The ginnery processes cotton and also provides raw material to the domestic textile industry, while creating a market for Swazi cotton growers.
In Swaziland, cotton cultivation begins in October each year.
