Zimbabwe farmers expect to harvest 300 million kilograms of tobacco this year. Good rain plus hard work from small farm owners made this possible. The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board leader, Patrick Devenish, told lawmakers about these results on Tuesday. Sales start Wednesday for what looks like a record crop.
Devenish explained to the agriculture committee how well plants have grown since the January rains began. Current numbers suggest at least 280 million kilograms, but final totals might reach higher. The team is preparing a third estimate right as we speak. Experts feel pretty confident about hitting that big 300 million mark.
Small farm success drives much of this growth across the country. The contract farming system helps these smaller growers improve both quantity and quality. Their better harvests create wealth in rural areas throughout Zimbabwe, making Zimbabwe's tobacco more attractive to buyers worldwide.
TIMB approved 31 A-Class buyers and 44 contractors for the upcoming sales season. Beginning Wednesday, farmers can sell at 55 different market locations. Staff members checked every market location to ensure proper setup and fair trading practices. Tobacco remains Zimbabwe's biggest farm export and brings essential foreign money into the national economy.
Devenish explained to the agriculture committee how well plants have grown since the January rains began. Current numbers suggest at least 280 million kilograms, but final totals might reach higher. The team is preparing a third estimate right as we speak. Experts feel pretty confident about hitting that big 300 million mark.
Small farm success drives much of this growth across the country. The contract farming system helps these smaller growers improve both quantity and quality. Their better harvests create wealth in rural areas throughout Zimbabwe, making Zimbabwe's tobacco more attractive to buyers worldwide.
TIMB approved 31 A-Class buyers and 44 contractors for the upcoming sales season. Beginning Wednesday, farmers can sell at 55 different market locations. Staff members checked every market location to ensure proper setup and fair trading practices. Tobacco remains Zimbabwe's biggest farm export and brings essential foreign money into the national economy.
