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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 43064, member: 636"]
Zimbabwe expects tobacco farmers to earn upper middle-income status before 2030. Agriculture Minister Dr Anxious Masuka announced the country will produce over 300 million kilograms and export tobacco worth more than 1 billion dollars. Each of the 135,000 growers should receive about 8,270 dollars from sales. The minister spoke at the Kutsaga 75th Anniversary Research Symposium during Thursday. Research centers have developed 70 disease-resistant varieties that international markets prefer.

Small farmers grow 85 percent of Zimbabwe tobacco across the nation. Land reform program beneficiaries represent over 60 percent of all growers. Contract farming covers 93 percent of production through bank financing arrangements. The tobacco value chain transformation plan aimed to reach 300 million kilograms through better yields rather than more farming land. Current production sits at 285 million kilograms with 15 million needed to reach the target.

Critics question whether farmers truly achieve middle-income status after production costs. Average household earnings drop to 1,600 dollars per person after expenses. Families of five reduce individual income significantly below projected amounts. Value addition remains weak at just 1.5 billion dollars instead of potential 60 billion from cigarettes. Zimbabwe exports tobacco to 60 countries with strong international demand.
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