It has been a combination of factors. Cotton’s profitability has improved compared with that of competing crops, and confidence in the industry has been rebuilt due to the introduction of the Cotton Cluster Programme (CCP) in 2014. Improved technologies in seed variety development and harvesting equipment have also facilitated growth.
Over the past decade, the area planted to cotton has increased more than 40 000ha, or 68%. While the weighted average yield for irrigated and dryland cotton was slightly lower in 2018/2019 than 10 years ago, the number of dryland hectares increased, and now makeup 42% of all hectares planted to cotton. This is the main reason for the contraction in overall yield. However, irrespective of the lateral movement in yield, South Africa remains among the top six highest-yielding countries, as reported during the 78th International Cotton Advisory Committee [ICAC] Plenary Meeting held in December 2019 in Australia.
Profitability is driven by price, yield and quality-related factors. Seed cotton prices have increased 88% or almost 9% year-on-year since the 2010/2011 marketing season.
Which programmes have been implemented to benefit more farmers?
The CCP was implemented over a five-year period, which gave effect to a number of long-term benefits. It promoted small farmer development through supplier development programmes and created a platform for new harvesting technology demonstrations aimed specifically at increasing the efficiency of dryland cotton. It also saw the implementation of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) to promote better cultivation practices and reduce the use of crop protection products during the growing cycle. Some 39% of the local cotton crop is currently BCI-compliant, and we’re striving towards 100% over the next three to five years.
Denne historien er fra February 07, 2020-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra February 07, 2020-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
