CCM BEAMONS LACK OF INVESTMENT TOWARDS COTTON INDUSTRY IN MW
By Meclina Chirwa
The Cotton Council of Malawi says the cotton industry continues to face challenges despite its huge potential.
Chairperson of the council, Duncan Warren, has said cotton has a high potential of boosting foreign exchange earnings for Malawi and it is ranked as the fourth cash crop after tobacco, tea and sugarcane.
According to Warren, the growth of the cotton sector provides an opportunity for diversifying the agriculture investment portfolio, import substitution and employment opportunities over and above its potential to increase the country's forex earnings and disposable income for farmers.
He said the council is keenly looking forward to ADMARC recognizing and assuming its role in the cotton sector by providing good markets for cotton farmers.
Cotton is largely grown in the medium altitude areas of Malawi such as Balaka, Mwanza, Neno, Phalombe and lakeshore districts of Karonga, Nkhotakota, Salima and Mangochi as well as the Shire Valley.
