Cotton farmers in Zimbabwe are demanding an increase in the price paid to them on their produce and are also urging the Government to intervene in solving the payment dispute between them and the merchants.
The Cotton Producers Association of Zimbabwe (CPAZ) has suggested a price of US$ 1.63 per kg, which the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) is yet to approve.
CPAZ said the association is currently negotiating the price for cotton with the AMA and is not convinced with the AMA's arguments against the US$ 1.63 per kg price.
CPAZ officials said they would urge the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development to intervene in solving the payment dispute.
Ahead of the new cotton season, which started a fortnight ago, cotton growers in Zimbabwe are yet to receive their premium adjustments since 2010. Unless, the issue is resolved, farmers are not likely to grow cotton this season, CPAZ said.
Under an agreement between farmers and traders, it was decided that farmers would be paid premiums after grading their harvested crop.
CPAZ said farmers will not accept agreement with any company to sell their crop until last year's pending payments are disbursed.