Several Zimbabwean cotton farmers are increasingly worried over the continued depreciation of the domestic currency and want to be partly paid in US dollars during the next marketing season, a survey by Business Weekly has revealed.
"It is not a secret that prices of goods and services are tracking black market rates and we feel it would be fair if we are partly paid in US dollars like tobacco farmers," said Gibson Anyiri from Muzarabani, one of the country's major cotton producing region.
Takemore Matemura, also from Muzarabani said it was critical that under inflationary environment, cotton farmers were paid "in currency that preserves value".
Several farmers interviewed in other cotton producing areas such Hurungwe, Gokwe and Mazowe echoed same sentiments and appealed for the Government to look into their situation.
Tobacco farmers are paid 50 percent in foreign currency while the other half is paid in Zimbabwean dollars at the prevailing official exchange rate.
