Southern Cotton drives massive expansion, bolsteri...

Southern Cotton drives massive expansion, bolstering Zimbabwe's "white gold" exports

Rutendo Mazhindu

Zim Now Reporter

Southern Cotton, one of Zimbabwe's largest lint exporters and a significant foreign currency earner, is embarking on a substantial expansion drive across the country, marked by the acquisition of new ginneries in Glendale and Gweru. To date, three ginneries have been established, setting an ambitious target of processing an impressive 30,000 metric tonnes of lint, signaling a robust commitment to enhancing local production and strengthening the national economy.

Company officials, speaking to journalists during a tour of the new Gweru ginnery on Tuesday, emphasized that this initiative not only boosts domestic output but also plays a crucial role in supporting the government’s thrust towards value-addition in the agricultural sector. Southern Cotton currently employs approximately 800 people throughout its operations nationwide, providing vital employment opportunities in various communities.

Caos Nzenze, Managing Director of Southern Cotton, confirmed that this expansion is proceeding despite the macro-economic challenges currently affecting the local business environment. "The company has so far managed to acquire new ginneries in Glendale and Gweru, while efforts are underway to refurbish the Shamva ginnery," Nzenze stated. "Southern Cotton will continue to ensure it contributes towards the development of government programmes. Cotton is the white gold with capacity to generate millions in foreign currency." Indeed, Southern Cotton has already injected millions in foreign currency earnings through its significant cotton lint exports.

Zimbabwe is recognized as one of Africa's major cotton producers, consistently exporting high-quality cotton lint to the global market. Currently, about 70% of Zimbabwe’s lint is exported, with only 30% consumed locally due to existing low-capacity utilization within the country's textile industry.

Simanos Zhou, Southern Cotton's Production and Operations Director, outlined further growth plans. "We are increasing hectarage under cotton in all major cotton-producing areas by embarking on our own cotton production, and we are also opening new areas, particularly in new resettlement areas, but this means the company must set up ginneries in those areas," Zhou explained. "We have huge ideas for this country’s cotton sector and there are fantastic prospects."

To facilitate this ambitious expansion, the company is actively raising funds, with approximately US$2.5 million required for the refurbishment of the Shamva ginnery alone.

Cotton production in Zimbabwe is predominantly undertaken by small-holder farmers, typically cultivating an average of one hectare per farmer. This "white gold" is primarily grown in the drier parts of the country, characterized by moderate to high temperatures and average annual rainfall of around 500mm. Major cotton-producing regions include Gokwe, Sanyati, Kadoma, Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Chipinge, Masvingo, and Matabeleland, among others well-suited for its cultivation.

Company officials affirmed that Southern Cotton, a subsidiary of Valley Seeds, is deeply committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and providing unwavering support to local farmers, thereby strengthening the entire cotton value chain from the ground up.