This paper assesses three of these policy initiatives: input credit provision for
smallholder producers of selected cash crops including cotton, the proposed creation of a Cotton
Board, and the emergence in 2003 of District Council levies as a point of conflict between local
governments and cotton companies. The purpose of the paper is to provide guidance to public and
private decision makers regarding key modifications which may need to be made to these policies
to ensure continued healthy development of the sector.
