Zimbabwe: Focus On Improving Both Quantity, Quality of Tobacco

Source from:  AllAfrica.com 04/13/2012

HIGH prices obtaining at tobacco auction floors have immensely benefited small-scale growers, many of whom are fairly new entrants into the sector Tobacco has progressively demonstrated its ability to empower small-scale growers, with many graduating from mere subsistence farming to semi-commercial thus contributing significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product. Output is expected to reach 150 million kilogrammes, up from 131 million last year. The target is to reach the 210 million kg achieved in 2000. Agrarian reform has seen more black farmers venture into tobacco production, previously a preserve of a few white commercial farmers. The thousands that have ventured into the lucrative tobacco farming have not looked back and the visible transformation of their standards of living and the economic dynamics in their respective areas speak volumes of the potential that has always been resident in this constituency. Images of gratification shown by the growers as they come out of the auction floors tell the story of an empowered farmer. With thousands of dollars in their pockets, the growers are spoilt for choice in terms of the furniture, farming implements and other luxuries they can now afford to buy, all at once. These are the benefits of their hard work and efficient use of pieces of land allocated to them under the land reform programme. The fruits of their tenacity are real. Good times are rolling for them at a time others are limping along, bemoaning one challenge after another. A financially secure farmer makes a good customer to providers of goods and services and an effective contributor to Government coffers through various taxes and levies. The economy needs such pockets of empowerment to generate wealth, create jobs and improve the standard of living of its citizenry. Tobacco has always been a lucrative crop but prices have been much firmer in recent weeks largely due to shortages in Brazil and other tobacco markets. Prices are averaging US$3,70 per kg. They have been as high as US$5,50 per kg, leaving farmers with fat pockets. Growers would be the first to acknowledge that real wealth comes from the soil if one fully applies their mind to it. Many have testimonies of how their respective lives have been changed since venturing into tobacco farming. From the basics of their children now going to school on full stomachs to their purchasing such previously unaffordable luxury gadgets as satellite dishes. This is empowerment in the true sense of the word and there is still space for more growers seeking to venture into the tobacco sector. However, we would want to see a replica of this in other agricultural sub sectors. Zimbabwe is ranked as one of the best producers of cotton in the world but the benefits therefrom are yet to be experienced by the grower who has often felt shortchanged by merchants. We would want a scenario where this status translates into a more empowered cotton farmer. Why should cotton farmers in Muzarabani and other areas languish in poverty a few weeks after selling their crop? Buyers should offer viable prices while contractors should meet their end of the bargain to ensure the farmer is not cheated. Farming is no child's play hence the need for consonant rewards. Cotton farmers have always bemoaned low prices but we would want this state of affairs to change. They too should enjoy the fruits of their sweat and so should soya bean producers, horticultural farmers and others engaged in various farming activities countrywide. The small holder farmer needs all the support they can get whether from Government, farmer organisations, contractors and merchants to create the right atmosphere and conditions to consolidate achievements registered so far. Ways to add value to the crops should be pursued and introduced so the farmer benefits more from their efforts while the economy at large gains through higher prices on the international markets. The entrance of more players into agriculture following the land reform programme should yield results that will take the sector and the economy forward. The farmers themselves should also have the appetite for knowledge and expertise in what they do so they can make the most of such resources as the land at their disposal. The agriculture sector contributes immensely to Zimbabwe's overall growth. Although statistics had dropped significantly over the past decade, the past three years have seen the sector contribute more meaningfully to overall economic growth. Agriculture grew by about 19 percent in 2011 and is expected to consolidate the growth this year. Tobacco, being the single largest foreign currency earner in the sector, could benefit more from efforts to improve output and quality. The majority of the small growers are found wanting in terms of the expertise on how best to grow the crop. These could benefit from such forums as the one held by the Boka Tobacco Floors that brought together Government, researchers, buyers, banks and insurance companies. The yellow gold, green gold and the white gold, among other crops have potential to fully empower the small holder farmer. Immense benefits will accrue to the economy as a result. Enditem