Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
This year’s tobacco marketing season has been described as a success with smallholder farmers revealing how the crop has changed their lives for the better.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board indicate that so far, tobacco farmers have earned US$880 million from a sale of 290 million kg compared to 198 million kg worth US$605 million in the previous season at this stage. This positive indicator is as a result of the organised marketing system and favourable prices that will continue to attract new growers who will be expecting hefty earnings.
Delivery rates are now low at the tobacco floors signalising that the season will soon be over. This season, TIMB is on an accelerated drive to ensure orderly tobacco marketing and end tobacco side marketing.
Inquiries by The Herald at the tobacco auction floors showed that the majority of farmers have earned better compared to the previous season.
A survey also indicates that prices at the auction floors have now gone down to as little as $0,50 per kg as farmers send in the scraps and deliveries are now very low.
A youthful farmer Bruce Zinyawo of Karoi said he had earned US$8 000 from tobacco farming this year and managed to buy a scotch cart, irrigation tanks and build a home.
“I am happy that I bought all these things through tobacco growing. I am planning to increase hectares next season. I started to grow tobacco in 2011. I planted 2ha and came up with 26 bales. I am ready for the next season and I have no doubt that I can grow 5ha. I wish to buy a house in Harare through tobacco growing. What we want is more assistance so that we engage fully in tobacco growing. We have more powers to do so, but the capacity to do so is still lacking. We need more financial support as youths,” he said.
Another youthful farmer Privilege Makonde of Mudhindo in Guruve said he produced 25 bales from 1ha and earned over US$3 500 which is a positive step shown so far by young people.
“I was impressed by the prices at Premier Tobacco Auction Floors. I’m actually grateful for the support which they offered me. Growing tobacco has transformed my life, I managed to build a house. Next season l want to increase the hectares.
“If TIMB continues to remind farmers to destroy tobacco stalks, this will be very helpful because it controls the spreading of diseases in tobacco farming. Moreover, they should control deforestation to sustain the tobacco industry,” she said.
Mrs Moud Muzondo of Goromonzi said the marketing season was good although prices are now going down.
“I have earned US$6 000 from 27 bales that I obtained from 2ha. I can testify that this crop has positively changed my life and I’m sure that I will continue to benefit from this crop,” she said.
Another farmer from Banket, Mr Taurai Mutero said farmers are happy to get payments on time so that they embark on other productions which need funding.
“Delays in payment can cause disastrous results in other projects. We are appealing to the authorities to ensure that we get payments on time. Side marketing should also be addressed as well as corruption so that we continue sustaining tobacco farming.
Mrs Epiphania Hanyani of Hwirisha in Gandani said although prices have gone down, she managed to secure all inputs on time using the bales she delivered last month.
“Prices should not change because the season is going to an end. We wish to continue growing tobacco because we acquired tangible assets through growing this crop,” she said.
Recently, TIMB public relations officer, Mrs Chelesani also described the season as a good marketing season compared to the previous years.
“We have surpassed the set targets meaning we had a good and very productive season. However, tobacco deliveries to the floors have gone down, meaning the 2023 season is coming to an end. Consultations with stakeholders on dates to close the season are ongoing,” she said.
Mrs Tsarwe also indicated that there is a need to expand production of shisha in slow growing areas.
“This season has been for learning and development of a better shisha crop. With TIMB’s support, Cavendish Lloyd is looking for adventurous, experienced and dedicated growers that seek to maximise their production by growing the highly profitable but low-cost shisha-type tobacco during the 2023-2024 season,” she said.
This season TIMB has licensed Cavendish Lloyd to support shisha.
Shisha tobacco is cultivated in almost the same way as the traditional Virginia tobacco, with minor differences in agronomy. It uses staggered low amounts of fertiliser, and it is not topped (apical bud removal) to minimise nicotine amounts in the leaf.
Chemical applications for pest and insect control and growth period are just the same as other tobacco cultivars such as Virginia tobacco.
The crop is reaped when the leaves have completely lost all the nitrogen and have fully ripened. It is cured using the same flue-curing barns, temperature and humidity regimes for the Virginia flue-cured tobacco and it takes four to five days to complete curing.