Scale of Zimbabwe tobacco exports. The Southern African state is a major producer of the crop., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Relief for tobacco farmers
Friday, 05 July 2013 02:18
Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald
A Chinese company, Midriver Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd is expected to contract nearly 80 000 farmers to produce tobacco during the 2013/14 season. The company will assist the growers with inputs and working capital to pay wages. The production manager, Mr Johannes Muchimika said the move would go a long way in helping the farmers who have been facing financial challenges every season. Government has rolled out input programmes for maize and cotton and tobacco farmers felt they should also get financial support.
“Farmers will get fertilisers, chemicals and fuel for tillage. The company will also supply farmers with coal for curing to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable practices.
Most farmers were failing to produce high quality crop due to limited inputs. Farmers would apply inadequate fertilisers due to financial constraints,” he said.
Mr Muchimika said some farmers faced challenges paying workers especially for reaping and curing resulting in huge losses as the crop would be wasted in the field.
“We have come up with the contract growing scheme which will see farmers accessing enough fertiliser, coal, chemicals, fuel as well as money to pay for wages.
Mr Muchimika said Midriver Pvt Ltd would also buy the crop from the contracted farmers. He said the company was giving inputs at reasonable prices to farmers since it was buying from the manufacturers.
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