Grower registrations for the 2017/18 tobacco growing season have risen by 36 per cent compared to the same period last year, newspaper the Chronicle reported.

Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) figures show 98,482 growers have registered to grow tobacco in the 2017/18 season, compared to 72,575 registered growers at the same time last year.
TIMB figures showed Mashonaland Central Province had the highest number of growers registered at 36,985, a 38 per cent increase so far, the Chronicle reported. A 24 per cent increase in registered grower numbers was reported in Mashonaland West where 32,806 growers had registered compared to 26,395 during the same period in the 2016/17 season.
Favourable prices at auction during the last marketing season reportedly have led to increases in registered grower numbers, the Chronicle said, citing stakeholders in the tobacco sector.