Growers Ignore Tobacco Expo

Source from:  Staff Reporter  06/18/2004

A HANDFUL of tobacco growers and exhibitors attended the inaugural Tobacco Exposition at the Harare International Conference Centre as part of efforts to restore viability to the declining sector. Of the 102 exhibitors invited to take part in the event, only about 20 showed up. The expo, organised by Sirmad Private Limited, kicked off last Wednesday and ended on Friday. Some exhibitors attributed the low turnout to poor publicity. They said Sirmad had not communicated with tobacco farmers effectively. Others blamed the venue, which they said was not favourable to farmers coming from as far as Bulawayo, Masvingo and Manicaland provinces. But Sirmad marketing officer Susan Gomera said as an agro company, Sirmad had meant to take advantage of the expo to help boost tobacco production, which has declined from 82 million kilogrammes last year to an expected 60 million kilogrammes this year. The expo was also meant to give farmers an opportunity to interact with other stakeholders. Despite the poor turnout, Gomera said Sirmad was planning to make the expo an annual event. Exhibitors at last week's show included Standard Fire and General Insurance Company, Beta Coal, Entomon Insects, TIMB and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority. Enditem