COTTON ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA (Strengthening Cotton Farmers) THE ROLE OF COTTON ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA (CAZ) IN SMALL -HOLDER COTTON PRODUCTION IN ZAMBIA PRESENTED BY: MR. JOSEPH NKOLE NATIONAL COORDINATOR PLOT No BUYANTANSHI ROAD ZAMSEED PREMISES INDUSTRIAL AREA P O BOX LUSAKA TEL: / FAX: WEB: SUPPORTED BY CFU SUPPORTED BY CORDAID

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION A.BACKGROUND B.KEY PLAYERS IN THE VALUE CHAIN C.ROLE OF CAZ D.PRODUCTION AREAS E.CONSTRAINTS F.ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Chain Input suppliers ProducersGinnersSpinners Weavers Consumers Enabling environment Chain supporters

Cotton Development Trust Loan schemes ZCGA Chem cies Seed Cotton Farmers under CAZ ZCGASpinners Weavers Consumers Conservation Farming Unit ZNFU Cordaid SCC Cotton Board of Zambia MACO

A.BACKGROUND Established in 2005 Member based farmer organization Major role B.OVERAL OBJECTIVE AND ACTIVITIES To strengthen the Smallholder cotton farmers through better organisation so as to provide them with a platform to have an effective input in the operations and future development of the cotton industry in Zambia. ACTIVITIES a).Strengthening the Cotton Farmer Groups through (i) Capacity building of existing smallholder cotton farmer groups and facilitation of the formation of new ones where necessary. (ii) Continuously engaging the out-grower scheme promoters..

(iii) Provision of a conduit for dissemination of practical research results, extension and policy information to cotton farmers. b). Linkage of the cotton farmers to key cotton stakeholder groups and service providers. c). Facilitation of regional study tours so that any observed favourable attributes could be recommended for adoption in Zambia.

PRODUCTION AREAS Eastern Province with about 2/3 of National Production Eight (08) Districts All the Ginners except Alliance Ginneries Limited. Central / Lusaka Province Six (06) Districts Reduced production since 2005 Southern Province Six (06) Districts Reduced production due to farmer migration

CONSTRAINTS – Low productivity – Uncertain producer and Input prices – Weather – Quality of planting seed – Poor Infrastructure – Poor farmer group organisation – Pirate buying and side-selling of seed cotton

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Lack of skills and knowledge Availability of opportunities Emphasis on contract farming PROPOSED INTERVENTION Farmer self financing Input Supply MERCI BEAUCOUP