Zimbabwe: Tobacco Marketing Season Launched

Source from:  The Herald 05/08/2009

THE 2009 tobacco marketing season was launched yesterday with stakeholders expressing high expectations for a smooth selling period. The selling season which starts today is expected to be officially opened by deputy minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Michael Chakanda Bimha. Prices are expected to be between 2025 percent higher than last season. Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri said usually the local market takes the lead from the Brazilian market. This season, tobacco prices in Brazil were 15 percent higher than the previous season and are hovering above US$4,10 per kg. Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Mr Elton Mangoma who made the official launch said the Government and the industry should put in place strategies that will enable the country to regain its share on the international market. "It is possible to go back to the production of 200 million kgs but we should first resolve the problems being faced by the sector," said Minister Mangoma. He added that there was a need to address the land question and this included a transparent land audit, security of tenure to end up with credible and bankable titles to attract finance into the industry. Infrastructure such as barns and irrigation equipment, the minister said also required rehabilitation. "Finance is not the only answer to the problems being faced in the farming industry but knowledge is of importance. "We should make sure that farmers are well trained in methods of growing tobacco such as dry land, " he said. Contractors were called upon to make available inputs for the 2009/10 season to beat the 60 000ha target. "We should not only target hectarage but the yield and quality of tobacco and this depends on other companies responsible for commodities such as coal, fertilizer and many others. "We should have enough fertilizers before end of October," Dr Matibiri said. Dr Andrew Matibiri has been confirmed chief executive for the TIMB after six years of acting. Enditem