Zimbabwe: Tobacco Seed Sales Dip

Source from:  The Herald 07/07/2016

Tobacco growers have so far bought 373 530 grammes of flue-cured tobacco seed which is equivalent to 62 255 hectares as preparations for the 2016-17 season gain momentum.

Latest statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show that as at July 1, there was a decrease of 27 percent from 514 660 grammes - which is equivalent to 85 776ha - sold last year.

According to TIMB, last year Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association sold 112 575 grammes while Tobacco Research Board sold 402 085 grammes. This year, Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association has so far sold 109 665 while Tobacco Research Board sold 263 865.

TIMB statistics show that 26 995 farmers have registered to grow tobacco for the 2016-17 season.

According to the statistics, communal farmers who have so far registered are 13 463 while 9 667 A1 farmers, 1 964 A2 farmers and 1 964 small-scale farmers have also registered.

In Mashonaland West, 12 256 farmers registered to grow tobacco for the next season.

Statistics show that 9 384 farmers have so far registered to grow tobacco in Mashonaland Central.

The statistics show that 3 070 farmers in Mashonaland East and 2 229 farmers in Manicaland have also registered for the forthcoming season

Midlands has recorded 39 farmers while Masvingo has 16 farmers who have registered.

The statistics also reveal that Matabeleland has recorded one farmer who registered to grow tobacco for the next season.

TRB general manager Dr Dahlia Garwe said the new payment system for tobacco farmers had affected seed sales.

"We were alarmed by the initial seed sales that were recorded because they were low. The new payment system that was introduced to tobacco farmers affected our sales as the farmers took time to get used to it.

"Some farmers were affected by climate change and they decided to stop growing tobacco as they did not get profit from the crop.

"In terms of return, tobacco is still a good crop and lot of farmers will come back and start to grow the crop again," he said.

Dr Garwe said the company might not sell as much seed as they did last year.

"We might not sell the tobacco seed as we did last year but 27 percent decrease is not a bad margin, we are close to last year's sales," she said. Enditem