Cotton farmers in Petauke district in Eastern Province have burnt cotton weighing 11,300 Kilogrammes valued at K17.6 million, belonging to Cargill cotton Zambia. The farmers are reported to have been infuriated by Cargill Zambia officials who went to buy cotton from the farmers with an offer of K 1,600 per kilogramme prompting the irate farmers to burn the cotton which was stacked at Ukwimi Police post in Petauke.

The burnt cotton was bought from farmers in sopa village but that the driver decided to offload it at Ukwimi police post after an attempt by the farmers to intercept the Truck. The farmers also stoned the police post leaving the building damaged where Cargill area manager Richard Tembo tried to seek refugee.

Zambia police Assistant Public relations officer Esther Mwaata -Katongo has confirmed the development to QFM news a statement. One person has since been arrested in connection to the arson and is currently detained in police custody.

Farmers and cotton buyers have reached a deadlock on the price of cotton. This was after the price offer was pegged at 1,600 perv kilogramme from the K 3,500 which was being offered last year. Farmers have been threatening to burn their cotton,lately due to the price stand off.

Last week during his campaign, President Michael Sata advised farmers in Chama district against carrying through their threat to burn their cotton crop in protest against low prices. The President said Government will soon find a solution for the pricing problem of the cash crop and he appealed to the farmers not to listen to MMD officials who are encouraging them to burn the cotton because of the low price.

“Hold on to your cotton. DonΆt burn it. Government has a plan to revive the cotton industry,” President Sata said.