Tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe are keen to get the 2024 marketing season underway with 50 per cent of harvested irrigated tobacco ready for marketing, reports The Herald.

According to TIMB public affairs officer Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe, the TIMB is currently assessing the crops in all tobacco growing regions to estimate national crop yield and production and the board is expecting to meet at the end of January to discuss the licencing of buyers.
“To ensure a good harvest, growers are encouraged to apply fertilisers correctly, undertake weed, disease, pest and sucker control. They must ensure they have good, functional and efficient curing facilities and safeguard proper handling of cured leaves to avoid losses,” she said.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) chairman Mr George Seremwe said since much of the irrigated tobacco had been harvested and cured, an early start to the marketing season was most welcome, reports The Herald.
“More than 50 percent of the irrigated crop has been harvested and cured, so as farmers we have suggested that floors be opened from February 15 going onwards. Another reason for this consideration is inadequate storage facilities for some of our farmers as well as the need to raise cash from the sale of a few bales to meet labour payments,” he said.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) chief executive officer Mr Rodney Ambrose agreed saying: “Farmer representatives have indicated that an early start to the season would help them clear loans, reduce borrowing incidences, reduce risks of storing graded tobacco on farms and generate foreign currency early to positively stimulate the market. Farmer viability remains a major concern as costs of production continue to increase against static floor prices.”
According to The Herald, Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Mrs Monica Chinamasa said opening the marketing season after Easter would allow continuity in trade.
“We don’t want to open the market and stop due to inadequate volumes, so floors should open when there is a lot of tobacco ready for the market. The price matrix is generated from the auction floors so it’s critical to have large tobacco volumes in the auctions for effective price discovery,” she said.