Tobacco hits 14,000ha

Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
ABOUT 14,000 hectares have been planted for the 2014/15 tobacco season compared to 12,772 hectares planted during the same period last year. Latest statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicate that 12,947 hectares have been planted under irrigation compared to 11,614 hectares in the prior year.

The report says 1,220 hectares have been planted on dry land, bringing the total to 13,992 hectares, compared to 1,161 hectares of dry land during the same period last year.

At present the golden leaf is grown in seven provinces namely Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Midlands and parts of Matabeleland North and South.

“Mashonaland Central has so far planted 2,354 hectares for both irrigated and dry land compared to the 3,004 hectares same time last year. Mashonaland West has 4,598 hectares for irrigated and dry land planting compared to 2,904 hectares same period last year,” said TIMB.

“Mashonaland East has so far planted 5,482hectares for irrigated and dry land compared to 5,335 hectares same period last year. Manicaland has 1,570 hectares compared to 1,387 hectares same period last year. Midlands has 163 hectares compared to 142 hectares last year.”

As of last week, more than 76,545 farmers nationwide had registered for the tobacco growing season, which is an ongoing process.

Mashonaland West has the highest number of growers who have registered recording 25,896. Mashonaland Central is second with 23,276 growers. Mashonaland East and Manicaland have 13,669 and 12,946 growers respectively, while Midlands has 416.

Tobacco is one of the country’s foreign currency earners. The crop is exported to China, Belgium, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Africa amongst others.