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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 43065, member: 636"] Small farmers earn praise for record tobacco sales across Zimbabwe during the current season. Tobacco growers sold 289 million kilograms worth 970 million dollars compared to 201 million kilograms last year. The crop brings 43 percent more money than the same period during 2024. Leaders want banks to offer independent loans rather than just contract farming deals. High costs continue hurting farmer profits despite strong production numbers. Land reform changed tobacco from large commercial farms to small community growers. The country registered 134,996 tobacco farmers with most coming from communal and A1 areas. Communal farmers represent 74,123 growers and A1 farmers total 45,321 people. Small commercial operations account for 7,025 farmers and A2 areas have 8,527 producers. These groups produce quality crops that compete with traditional large farms. George Seremwe from the Tobacco Association wants affordable funding for smallholder farmers. Production costs eat into profits through expensive fertilizer and fuel requirements. Farmers face unexpected expenses every growing season that reduce final earnings. Banks should work directly with farmers instead of only through merchant contracts. Financial institutions need to recognize tobacco farming as a reliable business sector. Edward Dune from the Tobacco Farmers Union Trust credits small farmers for reaching production targets. The agricultural sector adopts new methods across the entire tobacco value chain. Enhanced processing adds value to products and stimulates economic growth throughout rural areas. Smallholder farmers support Vision 2030 goals through consistent crop production. Favorable policies encourage innovation and expansion across different farming sectors. Merchants provide contract funding but some delay payments to farmers after sales. Input suppliers charge high prices that reduce farmer profits at harvest time. Many growers believe independent financing would make tobacco production more profitable. Current funding systems limit farmer choices and increase dependency on merchant terms. Direct bank loans could give farmers better control over production decisions. [/QUOTE]

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