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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 47792, member: 636"] Zimbabwe tobacco farmers are gearing up for another massive growing season. They have already bought enough seeds to plant across 139,164 hectares of farmland. The seed purchases jumped 12 percent compared to last year's buying spree. Farmers snapped up 695.82 kilograms of tobacco seeds versus just 622.50 kilograms during the same time last season. The numbers show growers are confident about making serious money from their crops. Irrigated tobacco farms started planting their seedbeds on June 1st this year. Most of these operations work under contracts with tobacco companies. Rain-dependent farmers will begin their planting between July and August. The contracted growers receive guaranteed supplies and expert farming advice. Smallholder farmers make up the largest group of tobacco producers across the country. Sales figures reveal farmers have already moved 321 million kilograms of tobacco leaves. These sales brought more than one billion US dollars into farmer pockets. Industry experts predict total sales could hit 330 million kilograms or even reach 400 million kilograms. The crop keeps attracting new farmers because payments arrive on schedule. Zimbabwe has registered 135,152 tobacco growers nationwide. Contract farming dominates the tobacco business but creates some headaches for farmers. Some companies charge high prices for farming supplies and delay payments to growers. These problems push farmers to sell their tobacco outside official channels. The government is developing new funding programs to help tobacco farmers expand their operations. Officials want to add more value to tobacco before shipping it overseas to boost earnings. [/QUOTE]

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