Page 8 - 11 Cotton SA March 2017

NKOMAZI SMALL-

HOLDER COTTON

FARMER PROJECT FUNDED BY
DRDLR &
ARC/COTTON SA
TERTIUS SCHOEMAN MANAGED BY

During the past planting season, a total of 2 767 ha of cotton
was planted in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga. The area is south of
Komatipoort and stretches down to the Swaziland border
alongside the Lebombo mountains, which borders Mozambique.

ith the funding support from the the participating farmers consists of youth, of 1 307 ha by mechanization. Each
WDept. of Rural Development and mainly women. farmer is also responsible for the chemical
Land Reform (DRDLR) and the ARC crop protection of the hectares that they
with Cotton SA as mentor and The participating farmers are part of 18 planted by hand, as well as fencing and
implementing partner, the small-holder primary cooperatives, with Lebombo harvesting for the entire production area,
cotton farmers in Nkomazi are Secondary Agricultural Co-op as the again illustrating the positive attitude of the
expecting a substantial crop. The central organization. Currently 718 Nkomazi small-holder cotton farmers.
Nkomazi area is ideally suited for farmers, as the sole beneficiaries of the
cotton with a long history of producing project, have planted cotton on land sizes The small-holder cotton farmers expect to
quality cotton. Statistics indicate that ranging from 1 – 10 ha each. The arable contribute in the financing of future input
more than 40% of the population in the land is situated around small rural towns, costs. Through the secondary
Nkomazi municipal area is with most of the cotton fields within cooperative and working together towards
unemployed, but with the cotton walking distance. Due to the extreme heat a common goal of sustainability, it is
industry active there is now hope. in summer, cotton farmers can be seen certainly achievable. Of all the crops
after daybreak working in the fields. With planted on dryland, cotton is performing
Participation the passion and diligence of the Nkomazi the best even with little rainfall, making
small scale cotton farmers, success is dryland cotton a viable summer crop in the
The dilemma and major challenge with imminent. Nkomazi area. To further enhance the
rural agriculture development is to involve quality of the cotton crop and marketing
the youth to participate in farming. The Production prospects, it was decided by the
Nkomazi small cotton farmers have a base cooperatives that they want to participate
of knowledgeable leaders with a long Of the 2 767 ha planted this season, 1 460 in the BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)
history in cotton production and 19% of ha was planted by hand and the balance programme.

8