TIMB targets young farmers

Conrad Mupesa Chinhoyi Bureau
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will soon avail funding for youths to promote the growing of tobacco and economically empower the young farmers. In an interview with The Herald last week, TIMB spokesperson Mr Isheanesu Moyo said they were targeting youths in various tobacco farming-related programmes.

“We want participation of women and youths in tobacco production as they constitute the biggest population and because of this, we will not be hard on youths who come to us through organisations in search of assistance. We seek to promote the youths’ participation in tobacco production,” he said.

“We have been working with various organisations like British American Tobacco, Tobacco Research Board and Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in trying to boost tobacco production in youths and this explains our participation in vocational training institutions and tobacco production courses.”

Mr Moyo said a youth organisation involved in tobacco production had approach the TIMB.
“The group asked us to increase youth participation in tobacco production through allocation of irrigation equipment, rocket barn constructions and inputs. TIMB will, however, accept the group’s list of recommended youths for assistance despite falling short on regular requirements,” he said.

Apart from offering inputs and related support, TIMB together with BAT Zimbabwe, TRB and Agritex have partnered with local vocational training centres in Mashonaland Central, East and West in providing intellectual support on tobacco production.
At least 101 students at Mashayamombe Vocational Training Centre in Mhondoro-Mubaira recently graduated under Farmers Development Programme, with the majority being youths.