Zimbabwe: Seeding Zim''s Tobacco Revolution

Source from:  The Herald  07/12/2013

Zanu-PF's successful land reform programme that produced more than 360 000 indigenous farmers against a backdrop of less than 5 000 former white commercial farmers, who unbelievably controlled vast tracts of land, has created opportunities for the majority black Zimbabweans. Before anything else, it is critical to understand that tobacco　farming was by and large a preserve of white farmers, with a few blacks allowed to grow the less lucrative air-cured tobacco.

To that effect, the land reform programme has produced close to 100 000 indigenous tobacco farmers compared to less than 3 000 white tobacco farmers.

The increase in the number of tobacco farmers has, however, come with a multifarious array of challenges including a dearth of indigenous seed producers for the ever-growing number of black farmers venturing into production of the golden leaf and the marketing matrix.

Tobacco farmers increased from an estimated 60 000 in the first year of the land reform programme to more than 100 000 registered farmers who sold their tobacco floors this year.

While the advent of the land reform saw some of these farmers and companies venturing into the production of various high-breed seed varieties, a few beneficiaries of the programme took up the production of tobacco seed.

The number of tobacco farmers is increasing every farming season amid concerns that the little production of seed currently underway could be overstretched, affecting what has become a lucrative source of income for Zimbabwean farmers.

Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association president Mr David Mutasa attributed the lack of interest from farmers, to intensive attention and complex processes needed for the seed, a high level of professionalism and disease control.

Farmers that have ventured into tobacco seed production also have to be quarantined from other farming activities that might bring a hodgepodge of problems to the seed production process, thereby discouraging some potential seed producers.

He said tobacco seed production was good business which beneficiaries of the land reforms could consider.

He said there were 30 white commercial farmers before the land reforms who were into tobacco seed production but the number had dwindled to six white and three black farmers.

"Efforts have been made to entice more farmers into tobacco seed production but the response has not been positive. We have registered one producer this year and we expect to welcome another one next season," said Mr Mutasa.

"While the existing producers have done a great job in satisfying local demand and export the excess, I think Zimbabwe could benefit more from an increase in export levels."

Mr Mutasa is one of the three indigenous farmers who have entered tobacco seed production.

He, however, said when the tobacco seed producers association was formed some 50 years ago there were more than 30 white farmers.

"As owners of the land, we need to move fast to ensure that all opportunities available for developing our country are utilised," said Mr Mutasa.

"We need to have a sense of ownership while we are aware of the fact that no one will come and do it for us."

According to Mr Mutasa, an interested tobacco seed producer just needs to write an application letter to the Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association.

Prospective producers also have to identify a mentor.

The association then confirms the mentor if they are into seed production and if they are willing to mentor the applicant.

Companies producing tobacco seed are Pannar Seeds (Pvt) Ltd, Farm Seeds (Pvt) Ltd, Bulawayo Seed Center, GST Grain and Seed Tech, Quton Seed Co, Prime Seeds P/L, Pioneer Seeds (Pvt) Ltd, Impala Seeds (Pvt) Ltd and Paseco Quality Seeds.

While it took the pioneer group of indigenous tobacco seed producers some time to get mentorship, the availability of mentors opens doors for beneficiaries of the land reforms to go into seed production.

For most of the disposed farmers, seed production began as a hobby before it developed into serious and profitable business

Mr Mutasa said tobacco farming has transformed many lives in Zimbabwe.

Many unemployed people have also found a place in the chain of tobacco production, with the youths making quite a sizeable number among the newly registered farmers.

He said the increasing number of tobacco producers demands more tobacco seed producers.

"Tobacco has gone a long way in addressing the issue of unemployment with many young people registering to venture into producing the crop. Tobacco production has attracted so many new players because it has been fetching good prices on the auction floors for some time now," said Mr Mutasa.

"You now find household goods such as television sets, refrigerators, solar panels to name but a few, in the homes of farmers which is something that never used to be. The people were living in poverty before becoming farmers."

A white farmer, while reluctant to be named, confessed that he now appreciates the land reform programme for transforming the lives of former farm workers who are now landowners.

"Although I lost my farm and now have to work with my father, I have seen the lives of the people who used to work for me getting transformed. They are now owners of household goods that they used to see in my house and even cars," he said.

"I now appreciate the land redistribution programme, as I watch the lives of my former workers improving drastically through working on the same land from which I used to make profits."

Tobacco, one of the country's most viable cash crops has seen the lives of farmers improve and has attracted more to do the crop which has been fetching good prices on the country's auction floors in the previous seasons.

Tawanda Nyangani (23) of Mazowe started growing tobacco on a hectare of land said he would not have gone into formal employment if he knew the benefits of agriculture.

"When I started living with my wife some five years ago my parents gave me a piece of land to work on and from the little savings I had made as a gardener in Harare I started land preparations with the help of my father," said Nyangani.

"I can now make my own money and have since increased hectarage to six. I plan to buy a car but I have since started building a house in Concession."

Some unregistered farmers also come to the auction floors to monitor the prices as their produce is sold on their behalf by a neighbour or relative who has a vendor number.

The huge crowds that form at the floors also benefit some small and medium-scale business people who bring their wares to the ready market.

Tobacco auction floors closed last week after 99 days of sales raking in 153,4 million kg at an average price of US$3,54/kg.

However, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, contractors who had bought 105,9 million kg are still receiving the crop from growers.

During the same period last year, 50,1 million kg of auction tobacco were sold averaging US$3,52/kg.

Contracted tobacco for the 2012 season during a corresponding period had contributed 82,6 million kg at an average price of US$3,78/kg.

Clean up sales for flue-cured auction tobacco will be held on August 6. Enditem