GOVERNMENT has banned cotton seed dealers from trading in unprocessed seed because it has lower yields.
Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone said in Mambwe that Government has been compelled to take such a measure because the fuzzy seed was impoverishing farmers due to lower yields.
The Provincial minister said the measure would not only protect and sustain local industries but also help farmers to increase their productivity which translates in more money in their pockets.
Mr Sichone said Government was aware that it was a bad year for cotton business as the prices were low adding that the company should put in measures to promote competitive prices.
“Government is aware that is bad year for cotton farmers whose prices are low but measures are being put in place to promote competitive prices,” he said.
He noted that the challenge of power outages which has affected production at the company was a countrywide problem due to low water levels.
The minister was however quick to point out that there would be stability when the Maamba thermal project was connected to the national grid.
