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He told New Ziana the increase in hectarage showed that farmers continued to abandon other crops for tobacco.
Poor marketing, unattractive prices as well as late payments to farmers have over the years affected other crops like cotton and maize.
“Farmers who grow rain-fed tobacco are still planting because the rains started late while those who irrigated are reaping and curing their crop,” he said.
According to TIMB, 65 199 farmers have so far registered to grow and sell tobacco this season compared 34 673 last season.
Tobacco contributed $527 million to the Zimbabwean economy last year.
Three auction firms have so far been licensed for the forthcoming selling season, which is likely to start in February, namely Boka, Tobacco Sales Floor and Premier Tobacco Auction Floors.
Last year Zimbabwe produced about 144,5 million kgs against a projected 130 million kg of the golden leaf.
This year’s output is targeted at 170 million kgs.
Tobacco is one of Zimbabwe’s major agricultural exports, accounting for 10,7 percent of GDP.
Major export destinations for Zimbabwean tobacco include China, UK, South Africa, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius and Russia. — New Ziana
Online Reporter