adminZimbabwe Tobacco Association coal logistics manager Mr Godfrey Chaitezvi told Business Chronicle yesterday that their delivery scheme to tobacco processing firms and farmers started in May last year.
“We have spent $8 million in procuring and moving 60 000 tonnes of coal to tobacco farmers in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.
“We have also distributed the coal to tobacco processing firms,” he said.
He said the coal was supplied by Hwange Colliery Company Limited and Coal Brick Mine.
“We have had a very good movement of coal by rail from Hwange as it has been supplied on time.
“Hwange Colliery Company Limited and Coal Brick Mine, which is mining the coal at the colliery, have been our major suppliers. However, a bit of it is coming from Makomo Resources,” said Mr Chaitezvi.
Tobacco farmers use coal when curing the crop before it is sold on the auction floors.
Mr Chaitezvi said compared to previous years there has been a remarkable increase in coal volumes distributed to the tobacco industry by the association because the crop’s output has continued to rise.
Despite the increase in tobacco output, he said his association had the capacity to distribute coal within the requirements of the industry.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show that as of 11 January, 65 444 growers had registered for the 2013 marketing season compared to 34 860 who had registered by the same period last year.
In 2012, Zimbabwe missed its tobacco output target of 170 million kilogrammes achieving 144 million kg due to escalating production costs, weather patterns, power shortages and lack of support schemes, among other factors.
This year, TIMB projects that 170 million kg will be delivered during the marketing season scheduled to begin on 13 February.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo