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Livingstone Marufu —
THE number of farmers who have registered to grow tobacco in the 2016/2017 summer cropping season has increased by 10 percent to 61 281 from 55 486, official data shows. A Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board weekly report (October 6) shows all provinces registered an increase in the number of tobacco farmers, except for Midlands and Masvingo.
Midlands fell 46 percent to 116 farmers from 213 the previous year and Masvingo registered a decrease of 52 percent from 89 to 43 farmers.
“A total of 61 281 growers have registered for 2016/2017 season as compared to 55 486 growers who had registered in a corresponding period in the prior year.
Mashonaland Central registration increased by 18 percent from 19 761 to 23 371 tobacco growers, and Mashonaland West improved eight percent from 20 693 to 22 438.
“Mashonaland East improved four percent from 7472 to 7794 and Manicaland improved by four percent to 7516 from 7256 tobacco farmers,” said TIMB.
The board said communal farmers contributed the highest registrations (29 224) during the period under review. As of October 6, a total of 23 522 A1 farmers had registered to grow the golden leaf while the A2 sector had recorded 4 485 farmers. The small-scale sector has so far recorded 4 050 registered tobacco farmers for the 2016/2017 season.
TIMB public relations manager Mr Isheunesu Moyo said: “This is a positive development as farmers are improving on their agribusiness skills and agronomic practices.”
He said normal registration would close on October 31 after opening on January 1.
“From November 1 to December 31, farmers will be charged US$10 registration and US$10 penalty fee for late registration. From January 1 until the opening of auction floors, farmers will be charged US$10 registration fee and US$40 penalty fee for late registration. After the opening of auction floors, farmers pay US$10 registration fee and US$90 penalty fee for late registration,” he said.
“This is meant to encourage farmers to register early. If they register early TIMB will also have accurate (production) estimates,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s 2015/16 output of the golden leaf, at 201 million kg surpassed the TIMB’s revised production target of 190 million kg. The remarkable growth in deliveries, beating last marketing season’s 198 million kg, was despite an El Nino-induced drought. Earnings have naturally risen, with farmers — who have dropped in number from 97 616 to 81 794 in the past year — pocketing more than US$586 million from US$566 million in 2014/15.
Total revenues improved by US$28 million to US$840 million from US$812 million last year. The average price was unchanged at US$2,94/kg. Exports rose to US$254 million from US$246 million over the same period in 2015 and 45,1 million kg of tobacco were exported to 40 countries.
TIMB statistics show that China accounted for over 20,2 million kg (US$164 million), while South Africa bought 9,03 million kg (US$26,2 million). China usually spends over US$200 million yearly on Zimbabwe’s tobacco.
Indonesia has spent US$11,7 million on 2,2 million kg and Belgium has bought 2,25 million kg (US$11,1 million) and Russia has purchased 2,1 million kg (US$7 million). Other buyers included the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Hong Kong, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Sudan and Tanzania.
Export tobacco sold for an average of US$5,62/kg compared to US$5,82/kg last year.
Online Reporter