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Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) is implementing a raft of strategies to improve the viability and welfare of tobacco farmers with strong emphasis on sustainable production practices that include crop rotation, composting and biodiversity conservation among other things.
In a statement yesterday, TIMB public affairs officer Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe said the board was pushing to educate farmers on the importance production practices that promote environmental stewardship, social responsibility and valued animal welfare.
“The strategies we are implementing include giving consultancy services on GLOBALG.A.P. (good agricultural practices), Global Risk Assessment for Social Practices (GRASP), quality management systems (QMS) and internal auditing among other market compliance standards. As consumers become increasingly aware of the importance of food safety and sustainability, local farmers have must realise that getting certified can have numerous benefits for their businesses and the environment,” said Mrs Tsarwe.
Food safety certifications, such as GLOBALG.A. P or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), demonstrate a farm’s commitment to producing safe and high-quality food. These certifications involve a rigorous audit process, where farms are evaluated on factors such as crop management, water quality, and pest control.
“Sustainability certifications, such as Organic or Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), recognise farms that prioritise environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and animal welfare. These certifications promote practices such as crop rotation, composting and biodiversity conservation,” Mrs Tsarwe further explained.
For Zimbabwean farmers, getting certified can have numerous benefits including the opening of new markets and enhanced access to markets like larger overseas retailers and restaurants.
Certification can also help farmers to improve their operations and reduce their environmental impact. By implementing the standards, farmers can reduce our water usage and minimise the use of chemical pesticides, which not only help the environment but also save us money.
In addition to the benefits for farmers, certification can also provide assurance to consumers that the food they are buying is safe, sustainable, and of high quality.
“TIMB has entered space to increase accessibility and affordability of consultancy services to farmers who are also growing food crops for exports. Through the public lectures, private consultancy and development of training materials, TIMB seeks to demystify the certification process and improve participation of local farmers in export value chains. Although this initiative was primarily designed for bona fide tobacco farmers, TIMB has opened doors for all farmers in line with Rural Development 8.0,” added Mrs Tsarwe.
Online Reporter