Union signs landmark deal

see the latter assisting in the cultivation, processing and sale of flue-cured and burley tobacco brands.
Under the agreement, Star will become ZPTFU’s exclusive partner in the cultivation, processing and sales of flue cured Virginia and Burley tobacco produced under the deal.
ZPTFU has 21 000 small-scale farmer members who account for 40 000 hectares of farmland and forecast a production of 80 million kilogrammes for the 2011/2012 season.
With the agreement Star will assist ZPTFU by seeking funding for inputs from international financiers.
Star will provide the best practices and direction in alternative types of tobacco to be cultivated in the country for international markets such as “organically” grown and “oriental” types.
The deal will extend to assisting the Zimbabwe Open University with funding to perfect and conduct courses to educate tobacco farmers in equality and yield per-formance.
Star’s chief executive Dr Iqbal Lambat said small-scale indigenous farmers were capable of performing even better if provided with the correct resources.
“With almost 90 percent of tobacco produced in the country coming from small scale farmers, the significant rebound of cultivated crop in the past two years in both quantity and quality confirms that small-scale indigenous farmers can perform well even under distressed conditions,” he said.
ZPTFU’s chief executive Mr Da-vet Muzwidza said the agreement will ensure quality life for farmers.
“By joining forces with Star, we are convinced that ZPTFU will reach its ambitious goals of managing and mentoring some 50 percent of all small-scale tobacco farmers in the country.”