RBZ Secures Funding for 2005 Tobacco-Farming Season.

Source from:  Newsnet (zw) 08/23/2004

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has secured funding for the 2005 tobacco-farming season. This was revealed by the Central Bank Governor, Dr Gideon Gono at the just ended 10th Annual Congress of the Commercial Farmers Union. Dr Gono told delegates that what is now left is for the Ministry of Agriculture to start negotiating with input providers. He said the Central Bank has given priority to agriculture in the allocation of resources because of its importance in the revival of the economy. Dr Gono called on farmers to desist from developing a dependency syndrome saying they should come up with their own initiatives as support from government and the central bank is not a permanent feature. Speaking at the same occasion, the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ngoni Masoka who stood in for Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made said the government is committed to the success of the land reform programme by ensuring that farmers secure funding. He said his ministry has already started training Agricultural Extension Officers to improve knowledge base on farmers in the resettlement area. Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, Wilfanos Mashingaidze says tobacco farmer are working with the government and the central bank on ways to increase tobacco production to 250 million kilograms in three years. He said this will be done in phases, with about 160 million kilograms being the target for the next tobacco season. Enditem