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AFRICA, AGRICULTURE, ASIA, CHI, CHIMHONDORO, CHINA, CLIMATE, ECONOMIC IMPACT, FOOD SECURITY, HARARE, MASHONALAND, MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE, MEXICO, NORTH AMERICA, RANGARIRAI CHISVO, SHAMVA, SOUTH AFRICA, TAFARA MUGWARA, TEND, TENDAI CHIMHONDORO, TOBACCO INDUSTRY AND MARKETING BOARD, TOBACCO SALES FLOOR, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, XINHUA, ZIMBABWE
Omar El-Sharif
Zimbabwean Farmers Optimistic as Tobacco Marketing Season Commences
Zimbabwean farmers are optimistic as the new tobacco marketing season begins, with expectations for higher prices due to improved crop quality. The season opened on March 5 and will last until the third quarter, with many small-scale farmers depending on auction floors to sell their produce. Increased planting area and favorable rainfall signal a potential rise in tobacco production, which is essential for the economy and many households.
As Zimbabwe embarks on a new tobacco marketing season, farmers like Tendai Chimhondoro express excitement and hope for their crops. Chimhondoro, a small-scale farmer from Shamva, eagerly awaits the auction of her tobacco, having cultivated it for three years. She anticipates higher prices this year due to improved leaf quality compared to the previous harvest.
The tobacco auction season commenced on March 5 and will continue until the third quarter of the year. Chimhondoro emphasizes that while tobacco is not a food crop, it significantly enhances her income, allowing her to better provide for her family. Since entering the auction market, she notes a substantial improvement in her financial situation.
Auction floors play a vital role for many small-scale farmers, offering a market for their tobacco, despite the predominance of contract sales. Considered the “golden leaf,” tobacco holds special significance in Zimbabwe’s economy, as it provides livelihoods and is a major foreign currency earner, particularly from exports to China, the UAE, and South Africa.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board reports an increase in the area planted with tobacco this season, rising to 125,000 hectares from 113,000. Favorable rainfall conditions could lead to a boost in production, projected to climb from 240 million kilograms in 2024 to 280 million kilograms.
Farmers like Rangarirai Chisvo advocate for tobacco cultivation due to its higher economic return compared to food crops, although they balance this with the cultivation of maize and other staples for household needs. Chisvo notes that many small-scale growers face challenges with funding and equipment availability, impacting their yields.
Another farmer, Lloyd Titi, favors tobacco for its drought resilience in the face of climate change. With increasing uncertainty in rain patterns, he finds tobacco’s shorter growth cycle to be more reliable. He expects favourable output both in quality and volume this year.
George Seremwe, president of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association, shares an optimistic outlook for the sector, noting that the current rainfall is promising for the marketing season, indicating a potentially good year ahead for farmers.
The start of the 2025 tobacco marketing season in Zimbabwe brings renewed optimism among farmers, particularly small-scale growers like Tendai Chimhondoro. As they prepare for sales at auction floors, many anticipate higher earnings driven by improved crop quality and favorable weather. Despite challenges such as limited funding, the overall outlook remains positive, reflecting the critical role tobacco plays in the economy and the livelihoods of many households.
Original Source: english.news.cn
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