Zimbabwe’s tobacco-growing regions have said that 15,084 ha of the irrigated crop has been transplanted and is doing well, reports The Herald.

1 tonne of flue cured tobacco seed, which is enough to cover 167,347 ha, has been sold so far compared to the 995,000 grammes sold during the same period last year. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), 15,084 ha of irrigated tobacco has been planted compared to 13,968 ha last season which is an increase of 8 per cent.
The Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association (ZTSA) has so far sold 16,676 g, equivalent to 2,779 ha while the Tobacco Research Board (TRB), now Kutsaga, has sold 987,410 g, equivalent to 164,568 ha, reports The Herald.
The president of the Tobacco Farmers Union Trust, Victor Mariranyika, said farmers were working hard to surpass last season’s volumes and were expecting a record output.
“It is good for the farmers to benefit from what they grow. We are guaranteed of a good harvest. So far, the condition of irrigated tobacco is amazing. The crop has around 12 leaves each, which is a positive development in the crop’s growth. We are expecting better yields this time around,’’ he said.
The number of tobacco growers has also gone up since the government introduced new rules last season with Mashonaland Central registering 34,461 farmers – the highest number so far. According to The Herald, Banket farmer Tafara Mungwaru said he would increase his tobacco hectarage this season, adding that the crop had totally transformed his life.
“I can testify that everything is now moving smoothly. I earn large amounts of money every year. Tobacco has transformed my life so much. I am planning to increase the hectarage this season because of the 85 per cent foreign currency retention which Government introduced last season,” he said.