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Precious Manomano, Herald Reporter
The 2024 tobacco marketing season has ended with smallholder farmers describing it as a success despite the modest fall in yields caused due to drought but still producing earnings that have transformed their lives.
With the El Nino-induced drought, the farmers produced 231 million kg of tobacco from a target of 265 million kg. There was high demand for the crop but the quality of the leaf was also compromised leading to shortages on the market.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicate that farmers earned US$792 million from the sale of 231million kg compared to 296 million kg worth US$895million realised in the previous season.
An organised marketing system and favourable prices are likely to continue to attracting new growers in the coming seasons.
This season, TIMB went on a drive to ensure orderly tobacco marketing and end side marketing.
Focus was on improving viability of growers, ensuring compliance with regulations, ensuring sustainable tobacco production and good agricultural practices.
Karoi farmer Ms Paidamoyo Nyamundiro said although drought affected her crop, she managed to produce 20 bales.
“Tobacco farming can totally transform people’s lives. I have two girls and two boys who are in boarding schools. Farming can reward well if taken seriously.
“It is now almost 10 years for me in this business, and this past season, our crop was seriously affected by drought but we still managed to harvest although we failed to meet the desired target. The prices were better this season,” she said.
Mrs Angellah Makuzva of Hurungwe said more women had been empowered through farming.
“Many women are doing well in tobacco farming. The empowerment of women is critical because we also contribute a lot to our families’ welfare. Those who depend on their husbands for survival are the most vulnerable people who are always abused,” she said.
Mr Taurai Bvunzawabaya of Banket said he only produced 30 bales and vowed to better this next season.
“I have procured inputs from the money that l got after selling this season’s tobacco. I do not want to be contracted anymore. Next season I will get all my money without deductions. This is my eighth year in tobacco farming. I have acquired all my wealth from farming. I have a nice house in Banket and another one in Marondera. I have two wives who help me with tobacco farming which has improved our lives as a family,” he said.
Mrs Moud Makate of Banket said the marketing season was good, although some contractors paid farmers late.
TIMB public relations officer, Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe, described the season as good, with no major challenges experienced apart from the drought.
“All was well this season despite the challenges posed by the drought which impacted on tobacco production. Prices remained stable throughout the season. TIMB received complaints about late payment from growers, but non-payment of growers was minimal,” she said.
She said TIMB was also supporting the industrial side of the industry to increase value addition from two percent to 30 percent next year.
In May this year, TIMB hosted the first ever World Tobacco Africa Expo, bringing together global businesses in the tobacco industry to interact with local companies and discuss business opportunities that could promote value addition in the tobacco industry.
Premier Tobacco executive director Mr Owen Murumbi said the season progressed well despite shortages on the market. “Most of the tobacco went to merchants and shortages resulted in higher prices. We need funding to be availed in the industry to promote value addition which is critical,” said Mr Murumbi.
Contract floors will continue to operate until all the contracted crop is delivered. A mop up sale will be held on August 29 for auction tobacco.
Zimbabwe generates around US$1 billion annually from tobacco exports, easily the largest non-mining export, and tobacco has been driving the rural economy and growing the small towns across a swathe of the Mashonaland provinces and northern Manicaland.
Online Reporter