Zimbabwe: Oilseeds Report
30 July 2007 The total area planted to oilseeds in the 2006/07 season was 670,000 hectares (Ha), an increase of 89,000 Ha from the previous year.
Cotton, the major oilseed, constituted 52.2% of this area. The crop is mainly grown by small scale farmers who are given input support by ginners. Crops planted in the 2006/07 season suffered from a late start to the rainfall season and the drought that affected most parts of the country, particularly south of Harare. Cotton is grown in the drier parts of the country and this season’s production was affected by drought.
Cottonseed yield (produced after ginning seed cotton) is estimated at 58% of seed cotton. The annual seed requirement is estimated at 25,000 MT seed cotton, or 15,000 MT ginned seed. Apart from the quantity set aside for seed, all the cottonseed is consumed domestically where it is crushed for oil.
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