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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 27160, member: 2262"] The 2025 tobacco selling season is off to a strong start in Harare. It kicked off on Wednesday with the first bale going for an impressive US$4.65. That's a big jump from last year's opening price of US$4.35. It's looking like tobacco farmers are in for a good year. Patrick Davenish, the chairman of the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB), laid it all out at the official opening ceremony. He said there are 32 buyers and 43 contractors ready to snap up the golden leaf at 56 selling points all over Zimbabwe. Davenish made it clear that TIMB is doing everything it can to make sure all tobacco growers have a fair shot at selling their crops. They're constantly talking with stakeholders to find ways to make the market even more accessible. But there's a catch. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has a policy that's not sitting well with farmers. They're holding onto 30% of the farmers' US dollar earnings and paying them the equivalent in local currency. That's a problem because a lot of the farmers' expenses, like equipment and supplies, are priced in US dollars. Some farmers are pretty upset about it. One guy who didn't want to be named said it's going to mess with their plans for next season. They owe money to suppliers who want to be paid in US dollars, but the central bank is keeping a chunk of their foreign currency. Davenish says TIMB hears the farmers loud and clear. He promised to keep pushing the RBZ to listen to their concerns. He said farmers are the most important part of the whole operation, and TIMB wants to do everything it can to keep them in business. But it's not just about the money. Davenish also wants farmers to think green. He's urging them to adopt environmentally friendly practices from start to finish. He says sustainability needs to be a top priority for everyone in the tobacco game. [/QUOTE]

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