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Standrick Chagadama
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has registered more than 107 000 tobacco growers for the upcoming 2024-2025 cropping season, marking a 16 percent increase from the 92 862 growers registered during the same period last year.
The significant increase in the number of registered growers reflects the sector’s continued expansion in recent years, with Mashonaland Central leading in grower numbers.
“For the 2024/25 season, 59 656 communal farmers have registered, along with 36 340 A1 farmers, 5 610 small-scale tobacco farmers, and 6 368 A2 small-scale commercial farmers,” said TIMB spokesperson Ms Chelesani Moyo.
She said farmers from seven of the country’s 10 provinces have enrolled for tobacco production. Mashonaland Central recorded the highest number, with 41 159 registered growers — a 19 percent increase from last year.
Mashonaland West follows closely with 37 692 registered growers, a 14 percent increase compared to last season.
Manicaland also saw significant growth, with 15 118 farmers having registered, reflecting a 32 percent rise in registrations.
In contrast, Mashonaland East reported 13 777 registered growers, maintaining the same number as last year.
Meanwhile, Midlands registered 156 farmers — up by 32 percent — and Masvingo recorded 62 growers, showing a modest 1 percent increase.
Only one farmer has register to grow tobacco in Matabeleland South province. Ms Moyo said TIMB continued to accept new grower applications, while conducting thorough due diligence processes, including farm assessments, to ensure the authenticity of applicants.
“TIMB is actively accepting applications, doing due diligence which includes farm assessments and issuing out new grower numbers to authentic applicants.”
TIMB, she added, was focusing on helping farmers diversify to other crops to ensure farmers can generate multiple streams of income.
As part of the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP), the agency aims to ensure that 30 percent of tobacco farmers’ income comes from alternative crops by 2025, added Ms Moyo.
“To support this goal, TIMB has joined the GLOBALG.A.P. Community, promoting the inclusion of tobacco farmers in horticultural production and exports,” she said.
The GLOBALG.A.P. Community is an international membership network designed to promote sustainable and safe agricultural practices across the food supply chain.
Members include producers, retailers, food service companies and other stakeholders who align with the organisation’s vision of responsible farming. The community offers opportunities for members to collaborate on setting and refining standards for food safety, sustainability and animal welfare.
Through the GLOBAL GAP Academy, TIMB has trained certified trainers to build farmers’ capacity in meeting international market standards.
“Additionally, TIMB now offers GLOBAL GAP. consultancy services to exporting farmers. Furthermore, TIMB is actively working to develop markets for alternative crops such as sweet potatoes and butternut, further contributing to the diversification efforts of tobacco farmers,” she said.
Online Reporter