Story by Peter Chivhima
The country’s tobacco industry is poised for significant growth, with over 8 000 hectares of irrigated crop planted this season.
According to statistics released by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Mashonaland Central Province is leading with close to 3 000 hectares.
Mashonaland East Province has planted more than 2 000 hectares, while Mashonaland West has more than 1 500 hectares of planted tobacco.
The new statistics show a marked increase from the 7 000 hectares planted during the same period last season.
“This means that as a nation we are now looking for a fruitful season ahead. The predicted favourable weather conditions and prices which were there last season at our tobacco marketing floors were encouraging enough to motivate our farmers. Also, the government’s policies are encouraging our farmers to increase their hectarage,” said Zimbabwe Farmers Union president, Mr Paul Zakariya.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president Mr George Seremwe weighed in, “We want to take this opportunity to encourage our farmers to adhere to good farming practices so that we maintain the targeted yield. Also, we want to thank the government for setting up policies which are allowing our farmers to go back on the fields with hopes.”
The upward trend in tobacco production is being driven by the predicted favourable summer cropping season and enhanced government support systems including ring-fencing the sector to ensure farmers get uninterrupted power and water supplies.
