HARARE, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's cotton output for the 2017/18 cropping season rose by 95 percent to 142.7 million kilograms as at Oct. 2018, up from 73.1 million kg during the same period last year, marking its highest output in five years.
The Herald newspaper quoted the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) on Thursday as saying that the huge increase was due to increased government support through the Presidential Input Scheme and investments by private cotton companies.
"Though we are still expecting a few bales before year end, they will effect minor changes to the figures," AMA said.
Cotton is one of Zimbabwe's major foreign currency earners and a source of livelihood for thousands of people.
However, its output had significantly fallen in the past years as farmers shunned the crop due to low international prices.
In the 2018 marketing season, farmers were paid minimum prices ranging from 51.7 cents to 55 cents per kg before grade adjustments, AMA said.
