Interesting news from Zambia’s Daily Mail paper on October 30th especially as it highlights the importance of African cotton and its relation to Zambia’s textile industry. Sounds positive. Read below to find out more.

DUNAVANT Zambia Limited says plans by the government to revival the textile industry in the country is a positive development that will help in boosting market for cotton locally.

Central and Western regional ginnery and administration manager Lloyd Mweene says much of the cotton that his company buys from farms locally is exported to countries such as China (major import), South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Mr Mweene said when Central Province permanent secretary Anna Mwitwa visited Mumbwa Cotton Ginnery on Monday that 95 percent of lint his company buys is exported abroad and only about 0.5 percent is consumed locally.

“There is need to revive the textile industry in Zambia so that much of the cotton produced locally can be consumed locally. Everything that is produced is exported. “The PF government has shown willingness to revive Zambia China Mulungushi Textiles, we look forward to this,” Mr Mweene said.

He said the market of lint in Zambia is small and as result the commodity is exported. He also said Dunavant runs a big out-grower scheme where cotton farmers are provided with seed and chemicals and during the marketing season, the company buys the cash crop from them. He said 30,000 farmers in Mumbwa are supported by his company through the out-grower scheme and many local people are on permanent employment and other are recruited during and after the marketing season.

“At peak, we employ 500 people of course in different categories-permanent, seasonal and general workers…permanent we go up to 55 (workers),” Mr Mweene said. Meanwhile Dunavant is this month expected to start paying workers’ salaries in accordance with the thresholds of the statutory institution on revised minimum wage. “…except that we are starting this month. So all the employees will be given arrears,” Mr Mweene said.

Mr Mweene also said Dunavant has co-operate social responsibility programmes which are implemented in areas where it operates from to empower deserving communities with tractors and rehabilitates bore holes so that people are able to access water.

Source: Zambia Daily Mail