Tobacco Farmers Mobilise Own Financial Resources

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 11/04/2004

TOBACCO farmers have started mobilising their financial resources in a bid to ensure that they would produce at least 160 million kilogrammes of the crop in the coming season. To date, $232 billion has been raised. Tobacco Growers Trust chairman, Mr Wilfanos Mashingaidze confirmed that farmers had used their own resources for next season's crop. "All in all the farmers have mobilised around $300 billion for the growing of the crop and this is commendable. "This would complement more than $200 billion that has been raised by various stakeholders on behalf of the farmers," said Mr Mashingaidze. Initially, farmers had been looking at a minimum $900 billion for a rebound of the crop. "We are fairly satisfied with the support that we have received so far. "We are however, worried that the farmers who have been able to raise their own resources may fail to get further finance for fuel and labour costs and this may eat into the total yield. "Labour has become very expensive and we have started discussion with stakeholders to make sure that the farmers who have committed their own resources are able to reap the crop next year," added Mr Mashingaidze. Tobacco production for the coming season is still within the estimated range of 160 million kg contrary to fears that the necessary groundwork had not been laid down. Financing of the 2004 to 2005 crop has remained of prime significance as it is anticipated that there would be a rebound from the current drop. Enditem