Tobacco sales firm – Government

By Trevor Makonyonga

Government has said it is pleased with progress made during this year’s tobacco season.

Speaking at a post caninet briefing, Wednesday, Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said a 4 million increase in tobacco export revenue has been recorded from 2020.

“The 2021 Agricultural Marketing Season has generally progressed according to plan. Cabinet notes that a total of 152 924 tobacco growers were registered for the 2020/2021 tobacco season, compared to 153 800 for last season, sales have generally been firm with good prices across all grades. Total tobacco export shipments for 2021 have reached 57.4 million kg as at 19 May 2021 compared to 67 million kg shipped during the same period last year. Tobacco export revenue now stands at US$235 million compared to US$231 million the previous year.”

Preparations for the next farming season are already underway.

“Regarding preparedness for the 2021/2022 season, seed sales to date are 74 670g compared to the same time last year. Measures are being put in place to facilitate value-addition of tobacco before exporting so as to maximize on the proceeds from tobacco. Government is also reinforcing discipline in the tobacco sector and over 60 illegal buyers have been arrested. Also, the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy is nearing completion. The main focus of the strategy are as follows: growers production to increase to 300 million kg; combating de-forestration; localizing financing of production; increasing value-addition and beneficiation; and growing alternative crops,” Mutsvangwa said.

Meanwhile, Tobacco Farmers Union of Zimbabwe President, Believe Tevera expressed his wish to have the burden of contract farming lifted.

In an interview with Bustop TV, Tevera said farmers had failed to empower themselves due to contract farming.

“Our dream as a union is to see totally empowered tobacco farmers who are not in credit, who are not in slavery, who are not in contract farming. Because you don’t grow in business, farming is a business, as long as you have many challenges. Because when you are in contract farming you are given everything field officers come to monitor you, you are just like a worker. You don’t plan anything by yourself so in terms of gaining skills contract farming is not developing. Our dream is to see independent tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe who then gain skills and learn to be independent. Farmers who treat tobacco farming as a business then contribute emensely to our economy as a nation. The challenge now is I am a youth, you are a youth women are also affected. Women and youth in Zimbabwe do not have the capital to start up tobacco farming. These tobacco contracting companies do not know whether you are a youth or not. Sometimes you do not have any collateral.”

He also called on the government to increase its support towards tobacco farmers.

“There is discrimination of the youth and women who do not own land. It is difficult. As a union we have urged our government advising them that there should be input loan schemes from our government which are very flexible that women and youth can access. There is a programme in maize production called pfumvudza there is the presidential input scheme, why can’t the same be tailor made for tobacco farmers so that the benefit from low interest inputs. The government should come up with friendly schemes so that farmers get out of contract farming.”