Zimbabwe: Tobacco Contractors Approved

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 6 September 2007 09/07/2007

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has approved nine contractors to assist in the production of the targeted 60 000 hectares of tobacco for the 2007/08 growing season. The contractors are Alliance One, Chidziva Tobacco Processors, Gold Driven Investments, Tian Ze Tobacco Company, Zesa Enterprises, Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco Company, Zimbabwe Tobacco Growing Company, Mannelie Investments and Saltlakes. TIMB acting chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri said there were three other contractors whose applications were yet to be approved. Besides the production of flue-cured tobacco, contract growing was also expected to help in the production of the 400ha of burley tobacco and the 50ha of oriental tobacco whose inputs would be supplied by a cigarette manufacturing company. Although cropping inputs, especially fertilizers, are generally not available, contractors are expected to help ease the burden for tobacco producers. "Inputs are generally not available on the market and most large-scale growers seem to be seeking inputs by entering into contract schemes," Dr Matibiri said. Coal availability may be a hindering factor in tobacco production next season because of viability challenges being faced by Hwange Colliery. Enditem