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Business Reporter
Tobacco farmers are expected to deliver at least 200 million kg of tobacco this marketing season, which begins next month.
This will be an improvement on last year’s target of 170 million kg that was missed by 3,4 million kg after 166,6 million kg, valued at US$612,1 million was delivered.
Some industry stakeholders told The Herald Business that 200 million kg was the likely target for this year judging by the increase in the number of farmers who registered to grow the crop this year.
A total of 85 076 farmers had so far registered to grow tobacco during the 2013-2014 season against 65 256 growers that had registered to grow tobacco during the same period in 2012-2013 growing season.
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri said that it was still premature to talk about the target as they were still carrying out assessments in different parts of the country.
“We are still carrying out assessment in different parts of the country to ascertain the status of the crop, we expect to have a clearer picture within the next two weeks,” he said.
A number of farmers have in the last few years been taking up tobacco farming due to favourable returns that are being realised from the crop.
This has resulted in a rebound in tobacco production from a low of 46 million kg in 2006 to about 144 million in 2012, and 166,6 million last year.
Tobacco is one of the country’s top foreign currency earners and accounts for 10,7 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Online Reporter