Farmers are feeling good about this year's growing season after some big wins. Following record-breaking production in wheat and tobacco last year, agricultural producers anticipate even stronger output across most sectors for the upcoming season. Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president George Seremwe noted growing interest in farming from various quarters, including the diaspora, predicting bumper harvests. He cited smooth payment processes for tobacco last season but stressed the urgent need to address high input costs, suggesting subsidies at the manufacturing level.
Representatives from different farmer groups outlined key needs for sustaining growth. Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust president Depinah Nkomo praised government support programs and Agricultural Finance Corporation machinery loans, but requested grace periods for repayments and better access to irrigation to combat climate change. Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Edward Dune emphasized the necessity for localized funding and more local crop processing to increase farmer profits.
Cotton Council of Zimbabwe secretary general Chris Murove reported favorable rains for the current season, aiding early-planted cotton. He warned, however, that some contractors failed to provide sufficient fertilizers, which could hurt yields. Murove advocated for allowing affected farmers to sell a portion of their harvest as uncontracted cotton to get better prices, and called on the Agricultural Marketing Authority to enforce contracting rules to protect growers. The overall sentiment points to a sector poised for expansion, provided persistent challenges around input costs and financing are tackled.
Representatives from different farmer groups outlined key needs for sustaining growth. Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust president Depinah Nkomo praised government support programs and Agricultural Finance Corporation machinery loans, but requested grace periods for repayments and better access to irrigation to combat climate change. Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Edward Dune emphasized the necessity for localized funding and more local crop processing to increase farmer profits.
Cotton Council of Zimbabwe secretary general Chris Murove reported favorable rains for the current season, aiding early-planted cotton. He warned, however, that some contractors failed to provide sufficient fertilizers, which could hurt yields. Murove advocated for allowing affected farmers to sell a portion of their harvest as uncontracted cotton to get better prices, and called on the Agricultural Marketing Authority to enforce contracting rules to protect growers. The overall sentiment points to a sector poised for expansion, provided persistent challenges around input costs and financing are tackled.
