Zimbabwe: Flue-Cured Tobacco Grower Base Widens

Source from:  The Herald  03/17/2014

The flue-cured tobacco grower base has reached over 95 240 growers, with 46 percent of this population coming from the communal sector.Latest statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board show that there were 72 589 registered growers during the corresponding period last year.

At least 43 547 communal farmers have registered to grow tobacco, with 17 666 registering to grow the crop for the first time.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union vice president Johnson Mapira said many farmers were taking tobacco seriously as compared to the previous years.

"Tobacco farming was viewed as an elitist crop reserved only for white farmers," he said. "We are happy that a vast number of tobacco growers are coming from communal areas.

"As black people, we are making use of the land reform programme. The figures are pleasing and farmers are taking tobacco seriously since it is now a well-paying sector compared to other crops.

"Many farmers switched from cotton and maize to tobacco expecting to fetch high prices."

The tobacco selling season got off to a slow start this year as most farmers have been rejecting prices offered at the auction floors which they consider to be low.

Goromonzi farmer Fidelis Mubvumba called on Government to intervene and ensure prices offered are good.

"We are producing high quality tobacco and the prices that they are offering are not pleasing," he said. "Last year I came with the same quality of tobacco and sold it at a better price than what we are being offered this season."

Mashonaland West has the highest number of farmers that registered with TIMB at 33 542, while Matabeleland recorded the least with 10 farmers growing the crop at a communal level. Enditem