Farmers in Zimbabwe have welcomed the Tobacco Transformation Plan which is aimed at boosting production through local funding, reports The Herald.

Last week, the government launched a tobacco value addition and transformation roadmap under the National Value Chain Tobacco Transformation Plan last, which aims at localising tobacco financing and transforming the industry into a USD 5 billion industry by 2025.
According to the report, the plan also aims to increase tobacco production and productivity to 300 million kg annually, primarily by increasing yields and post-harvest loss reduction while enhancing traceability, compliance and environmental stewardship.
The plan will also enhance value addition and beneficiation from the current 1 per cent to 30 per cent to generate USD 5 billion by 2025, while exploring alternate and alternative crops, to enhance tobacco viability.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Dr Shadreck Makombe, said the plan was a positive development that would grow the industry if implemented properly.
Meanwhile, farmers have sold 149 million kgs of crop so far, which is 24 per cent more than in the same period last year.