Story by Tendai Munengwa
ZIMBABWE’S record tobacco deliveries, which now stand at over 300 million kilogrammes have been described as a milestone achievement for the Second Republic, whose development agenda is hinged on productivity in agriculture, among other key economic sectors.
The latest statistics by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) reflect that farmers delivered 302 million kgs of the golden leaf, raking in over US$1 billion.
The new historic feat by farmers has been described by tobacco economic expert, Mr Dickson Kubvakacha as a catalyst for the transformation of farmers’ lives.
“We are elated by the new record set by tobacco farmers. Achieving the US$1 billion mark for the first time in history demonstrates that our farmers have come of age. Also, most of them have built or upgraded their homes, installed solar systems, drilled boreholes and some and driving nice cars and sending their children to school with proceeds from tobacco means they have been transformed into upper-middle class income society envisaged by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
TIMB chairperson, Mr Patrick Devenish said by hitting 300 million kgs mark for the first time in history, Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry has achieved one of the goals set out in the Tobacco Value Chain Growth Plan goals.
“We are happy that as an industry, we have achieved one of our goals. The prices were fair and quality was good and farmers are already planning with zeal to go back to the land after getting good value for their money.”
The new record has put Zimbabwe on the world map as one of the biggest producers of the golden leaf that is desired in over 60 countries.
