Zimbabwe Growers Call for Government Intervention

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 05/26/2011

Zimbabwe's tobacco growers are disgruntled over the flue-cured prices being offered at the country's auction floors and are urging the government to intervene, according to a story in The Standard. This year, the number of registered tobacco growers surged to 60,000 from last year's 15,000 because of the profitable returns that seemed to be on offer. However, Zimbabwe Progressive Tobacco Farmers' Union president, Nicholas Kapungu, said the prevailing prices at the floors were only serving to deter new farmers from growing tobacco next season. "We have a whole lot of experienced farmers in our union who have been farming tobacco for many years, but the prevailing prices are nothing short of sabotage," said Kapungu. Last week, prices hovered between US$0.80 per kg and US$1.20 per kg, regardless of crop quality, he added. "As a union, we are not even consulted when the authorities select buyers," said Kapungu. "Government is not paying attention to the needs of farmers and, as a union, we call upon the authorities to address our plight." Enditem