Zimbabwe cotton farmers diversify income amid climate change
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Women cotton farmers in Zimbabwe’s Shamva district are supplementing their income by learning to sew and forming collective savings groups.
Brenda Dzuda and other farmers describe cotton as their “white gold” but face challenges from unpredictable weather, low prices, and poor seed quality. These conditions limit their alternatives, as cultural norms and restrictions hinder their access to other industries like gold mining.
To address these issues, Zimbabwe Women in Cotton began a sewing project in February 2023, after receiving sewing machines with assistance from First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa. Sixty women in Shamva now take clothing orders, repair garments, and contribute to a shared savings fund to support their households and cover farming costs. This initiative provides income during the off-season and when cotton harvests or payments are disappointing.
The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) explained that cotton is graded from A to D based on fibre quality, with initial payments made in US dollars and Zimbabwe Gold. COTTCO also provides subsidised inputs and training to farmers. However, farmers like Getrude Motsi still struggle with delayed payments, leaving harvested cotton unsold and tying up crucial funds. The women hope to expand beyond raw cotton production to create value-added products, similar to farmers in Malawi.
