COMMENT - The author means pre-2002 levels. According to the FAO/WFP, the first year tobacco declined was in 2002. (Tobacco (US$ m) 2000 (548.8) 2001 (594.1) 2002 (434.6) 2003 (321.3). See: Table 1: Zimbabwe - Key economic indicators, 2000–2007)
Bumper tobacco crop projected
by Gilbert Nyambabvu
05/12/2010 00:00:00
ZIMBABWE’S tobacco production is inching towards the pre-2000 peak levels with industry officials projecting output to jump 38 percent to 170 million kilogrammes in the next cropping season.
The country produced 123 million kilogrammes in the last season but the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) has said output should increase to 170 million kilogrammes with more farmers expected to join the sector.
50 000 farmers made deliveries to the country’s auction floors in the just ended season and the TIMB said it expects an additional 10 000 producers to join the sector.
“Indications are that the 2011 tobacco season will be successful because the number of growers has increased,” TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri said.
“Last year, we had 50 000 growers and we are expecting that figure to increase to 60 000.”
The organization said a significant number of farmers were expected to switch from cotton to tobacco production in the new season while others in non-traditional tobacco growing areas were also trying the ‘golden leaf’.
“We have also witnessed that some farmers in areas like the Zambezi have expressed interest in growing the crop this year even though the climatic conditions in such areas are considered unfavourable for the crop,” Matibiri said.
Zimbabwe used to be one of the world’s leading tobacco producers with output topping 227 million tones between 1998 and 2000.
However, re-organisation of the country’s farming sector in the wake of the government’s controversial land reforms compounded by often-inclement weather conditions saw production decline significantly over the decade.
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