News / National
New tobacco growers reach 21000 mark in Zimbabwe
01 Oct 2013 at 02:37hrs | Views
More than 21 000 new tobacco growers from traditionally non-tobacco growing regions have registered with the Tobacco Industries and Marketing Board (TIMB) ahead of the 2013 to 2014 summer cropping season.
Farmers in non-tobacco growing regions such as Masvingo, Matabeleland, Midlands and some parts of Mashonaland East provinces have indicated interest in farming the golden leaf.
In an interview, the TIMB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andrew Matibiri said over 21 000 new tobacco growers, mostly from Gokwe, Buhera, Wedza and Matabeleland region have been registered ahead of the next season.
He said the number is expected to double by the close of the registering period which ends on the 31st of October.
Dr Matibiri said the TIMB has increased the number of field officers who are expected to work with the new and old tobacco growers to ensure that they produce quality crop.
"This year's total number of tobacco growers is likely to exceed last year's 90 000 base with the TIB figures already showing that 64 784 thousand farmers have so far registered to grow the crop this season while 21 430 will be growing the crop for the first time.
Registration for growing tobacco in the 2013-14 season commenced at the beginning of September and will close on the 31st of October.
64 784 tobacco farmers have so far registered and the number is expected to reach 100 000.
Last year, 90 000 growers were registered.
The Mashonaland region has always been known as the hub of the country's tobacco production, with the total output of the country's golden leaf being produced there.
However, the trend is changing as other parts of the country are now growing tobacco.
Farmers in non-tobacco growing regions such as Masvingo, Matabeleland, Midlands and some parts of Mashonaland East provinces have indicated interest in farming the golden leaf.
In an interview, the TIMB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andrew Matibiri said over 21 000 new tobacco growers, mostly from Gokwe, Buhera, Wedza and Matabeleland region have been registered ahead of the next season.
He said the number is expected to double by the close of the registering period which ends on the 31st of October.
Dr Matibiri said the TIMB has increased the number of field officers who are expected to work with the new and old tobacco growers to ensure that they produce quality crop.
"This year's total number of tobacco growers is likely to exceed last year's 90 000 base with the TIB figures already showing that 64 784 thousand farmers have so far registered to grow the crop this season while 21 430 will be growing the crop for the first time.
Registration for growing tobacco in the 2013-14 season commenced at the beginning of September and will close on the 31st of October.
64 784 tobacco farmers have so far registered and the number is expected to reach 100 000.
Last year, 90 000 growers were registered.
The Mashonaland region has always been known as the hub of the country's tobacco production, with the total output of the country's golden leaf being produced there.
However, the trend is changing as other parts of the country are now growing tobacco.
Source - zbc
