Online Reporter
Online Reporter
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has donated textbooks and sanitary ware to Woodrow Primary School in Zvimba as part of efforts to promote education in farming communities.
The goods were mobilised through the Stow-Muhacha Cooperative, which is a village business unit designed to support small-scale tobacco growers, in line with the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP) and the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
Woodrow Primary School has also been empowered and established woodlots of fast-growing trees under its afforestation programme to promote sustainable production of tobacco.
Speaking on behalf of the TIMB acting chief executive officer Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire at the handover ceremony, Mr Willard Zidyambanje said the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility aimed at improving livelihoods of farming communities and enhancing sustainable development as part of the TVCTP.
“This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated on May 28 under the theme ‘Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld’,” he said.
“We are here because we believe in the power of education, the value of health and the dignity of every child, especially the girl-child.
“We firmly believe that our future lies in the hands of our children, who should belong in classrooms, not in tobacco fields.
“We strongly stand against child labour in all its forms, and we are working closely with growers, communities and authorities to ensure that the tobacco value chain remains free of exploitation.”
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education district inspector for Zvimba Mr Lloyd Mereki received the donation on behalf of the school and applauded TIMB for the good gesture.
Some smallholder tobacco growers struggle with limited access to funding, modern equipment and training, leading to inefficiencies, low yields and environmental concerns such as deforestation.
TIMB stepped in to bridge these gaps, empowering growers to operate at a commercial level and under this initiative.
A total of 28 small-scale tobacco growers have been grouped into a registered formal company (Stow-Muhacha Cooperative) and are being supported throughout the entire tobacco production value chain.
TIMB has not only provided technical training but has also facilitated loan guarantees to help these farmers access the financial resources needed to get centre pivots for irrigation, tractors, tillage equipment, working capital and rehabilitation of coal curing systems to reduce reliance on wood fuel.
The growers serviced their loans and received their dividend payouts, marking a significant milestone in rural economic empowerment as a viable small to medium enterprise (SME).
For the 2024/25 season, 40 hectares of fully irrigated tobacco were planted and an average yield of 3 200 kg per hectare is expected, together with a better average price due to improved tobacco quality.
At peak season, the cooperative has over 120 employees, empowering marginalised groups, including women and youth, by providing them with opportunities to contribute to household income.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter