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Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
FOLLOWING the recent predictions of normal to above normal rains for the 2024/25 cropping season, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has reported a 36 percent surge in numbers of farmers registering to grow tobacco.
Statistics released by TIMB show that as of September 20 this year, 80 880 growers had registered compared to 59,333 in the comparable period last year.
TIMB public affairs officer, Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe said it was illegal for a farmer to grow tobacco without being registered and urged them to register early to beat the deadline and lower costs as well.
Sub-section 25 of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Levy Act (Chapter 18:20) says: “Any person who is not registered and who, by himself/herself or through his agents, grows tobacco shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Mrs Tsarwe said registration provides statistical information about the total number of growers and possible crop size.
“This information is important for planning purposes especially on the number of auction floors, buyers, mobilization of financial resources to buy the crop and the pricing of the tobacco.
“This information has a direct bearing on the pricing of tobacco,” she said.
Mrs Tsarwe said grower registration was easy and when one applied with all the requirements met, the grower number should be issued in two weeks.
The following requirements should accompany an application to TIMB for registration as a grower – proof of access to land in the form of title deeds, land permit/offer letter for A1 and A2 while for those living in communal areas, a stamped recommendation letter from the grower’s local councilor or headman/chief. There is also need for a stamped recommendation letter from the grower’s local Agritex officer to confirm that the person is a bona fide tobacco grower.
A copy of national identification card, as well as a registration fee of US$10 payable on submission of application form before October 31 of the year preceding the marketing season.
“For registrations between November 1 and December 31, a penalty of $10 is levied with US$40 fine charged between January 1 and start of the marketing season, while any registration done after the commencement of the marketing season attracts a penalty of US$90 in addition to a registration fee of US$10,” she said.
Meanwhile, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere recently revealed that a total of 1 252 244 grammes of tobacco seed had been sold compared to 865 708 sold during the same period last year, marking a 45 percent increase, as preparations for the 2024/2025 season intensify. He said this during the 30th post-Cabinet media briefing.
“The seed is equivalent to 208 707 hectares compared to 144 285 last year. A record production is anticipated, as these seed sales are a record high for the industry,” he said.
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