Zimbabwe's Tobacco Board Emphasizes Quality Control for 2025 Season.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) issued guidance to farmers about proper crop handling ahead of the 2025 marketing season. The board stressed that high-quality tobacco commands premium prices in the market.
"High-quality tobacco that is properly grown, cured, conditioned, graded, and baled attracts top prices at the market," TIMB stated on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Invest in good practices, and the rewards will follow."
Farmers received specific instructions to prevent leaf damage. These include careful reaping methods, proper clip usage, and safe transport practices. The board highlighted even barn loading as essential for proper curing.
TIMB provides free weekly training sessions at their Harare location. Their guidance materials point out that grading begins before planting. Key factors include land preparation, fumigation, fertilization, and proper storage.
The grading process aims to group similar leaves into uniform lots, enhancing buyers' value. This labor-intensive task requires careful management to maximize sales potential.
Buyers evaluate multiple technical aspects: chemical makeup, smoking qualities, flavor, aroma, cutting properties, filling capacity, and moisture levels.
Registration numbers show growth from previous years. As of January 10, TIMB recorded 126,474 registered growers, up from 112,914 last year. Planted areas increased to 120,106 hectares from 108,949.
The first crop assessment occurred from January 13 to 17. TIMB deployed 16 experts across major tobacco-growing provinces to evaluate production stages and quality. These assessments help forecast potential output.
In 2021, the government launched the tobacco value chain transformation plan. This initiative aims to build a US$5 billion industry by 2025. The plan focuses on local funding, increased production, value addition, and cigarette exports.
Zimbabwe targets 300 million kilograms of tobacco production for the 2024/25 season. This goal would surpass the previous record of 296 million despite recovering from recent El Nino drought effects.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) issued guidance to farmers about proper crop handling ahead of the 2025 marketing season. The board stressed that high-quality tobacco commands premium prices in the market.
"High-quality tobacco that is properly grown, cured, conditioned, graded, and baled attracts top prices at the market," TIMB stated on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Invest in good practices, and the rewards will follow."
Farmers received specific instructions to prevent leaf damage. These include careful reaping methods, proper clip usage, and safe transport practices. The board highlighted even barn loading as essential for proper curing.
TIMB provides free weekly training sessions at their Harare location. Their guidance materials point out that grading begins before planting. Key factors include land preparation, fumigation, fertilization, and proper storage.
The grading process aims to group similar leaves into uniform lots, enhancing buyers' value. This labor-intensive task requires careful management to maximize sales potential.
Buyers evaluate multiple technical aspects: chemical makeup, smoking qualities, flavor, aroma, cutting properties, filling capacity, and moisture levels.
Registration numbers show growth from previous years. As of January 10, TIMB recorded 126,474 registered growers, up from 112,914 last year. Planted areas increased to 120,106 hectares from 108,949.
The first crop assessment occurred from January 13 to 17. TIMB deployed 16 experts across major tobacco-growing provinces to evaluate production stages and quality. These assessments help forecast potential output.
In 2021, the government launched the tobacco value chain transformation plan. This initiative aims to build a US$5 billion industry by 2025. The plan focuses on local funding, increased production, value addition, and cigarette exports.
Zimbabwe targets 300 million kilograms of tobacco production for the 2024/25 season. This goal would surpass the previous record of 296 million despite recovering from recent El Nino drought effects.
