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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
GOVERNMENT will fully support new tobacco farmers in Matabeleland region as the crop continues to increase farmers’ income, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture responsible for cropping, mechanisation and irrigation development Cde Davis Marapira said yesterday.Addressing farmers at the official launch of tobacco growing in Matabeleland North Province in Nyamandlovu, Cde Marapira said tobacco can be successfully grown at full scale in the province.
The launch was held alongside a field day at the homestead of Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Obert Mpofu who has planted 13 hectares of tobacco.
There are nine farmers growing tobacco in the province, including Dr Mpofu.
“Tobacco is one of our key cash crops accounting for 20 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We have witnessed an increase in tobacco growing by our farmers and to date 107,371 hectares are under tobacco. A total of 85,360 farmers have already registered to market the crop during the upcoming marketing season,” said Cde Marapira.
“My ministry, together with the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), will continue to give all necessary support to farmers in their endeavour to increase the area to plant tobacco. Given the 26 hectares of tobacco planted to date in Matabeleland North, I know this is the beginning of huge investment by farmers.”
Cde Marapira was impressed by the tobacco crop grown at Dr Mpofu’s fields and urged other farmers in the province to consider venturing into growing the cash crop.
“I take pride in noting that the Mpofu family has taken a bold step by demonstrating beyond doubt that quality tobacco can be grown in this part of the country. In the past, growing tobacco in Matabeleland North was the least thought by farmers.
“The 13 hectares of tobacco we see today proves beyond reasonable doubt that flue cured tobacco is no more the preserve of other regions but can be grown here too,” he said.
Cde Marapira said if more farmers in the region grow tobacco, government would consider establishing tobacco floors in the region to reduce farmers’ transport costs.
Dr Mpofu commended Agritex for the support they give to farmers in the province. He urged banks to support farmers by relaxing conditions to access loans.
Matabeleland North agronomist Davison Masendeke said Agritex has embarked on a programme to vigorously promote tobacco farming in every district of the province.
“It is not the first time that we are growing tobacco in Matabeleland North. The problem is that tobacco is sold in Harare and it is expensive for farmers to transport the crop to the capital,” he said.
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