Tobacco farmers earn US$9m in 3 days
Elita Chikwati
Agriculture Reporter
Farmers have earned US$8,9 million in the first three days of the 2021 tobacco marketing season after selling 3,7 million kg of the crop at the auction and contract floors.
This represents an increase of over 1 000 percent from the US$783 465 earned by farmers during the same period last year after the sale of 374 338kg.
The 2021 tobacco marketing season opened last Wednesday while contract floors opened the following day. Most of the crop so far has been sold through the contract floors.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has revealed that 3,3 million kg of tobacco valued at US$7,9 million has been sold at the contract floors in the first two days, while farmers sold 489 153kg worth US$1 052 245 at the auction floors in three days.
Heavy rains expected to continue
Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe can expect another wet weekend with heavy downpours, particularly to the north of the watershed, the Meteorological Services Department advised yesterday.
Farmers were advised to harvest the water to boost irrigation activities during the winter cropping season.
According to Met Department senior forecaster Mr James Ngoma, there will be continuous rains in most parts of the country over the weekend. “Localised heavy downpours are expected especially in areas to the north of the watershed because of a passing cloud band emanating from Botswana that was giving significant falls over the southern parts of the country as of Thursday into Friday.
Bumper harvest under threat thezimbabwemail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thezimbabwemail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Adopt short season varieties, farmers urged
Agriculture Reporter
Farmers who are still planting have been urged to consider short season varieties as the planting window for long season varieties has passed.
The bulk of the summer crops are in good condition although incessant rains being received in most parts of the country have resulted in weed pressure as farmers cannot spray herbicides or weed. Most of the crop now requires top dressing fertiliser, which farmers said is not readily available, especially for those under Command Agriculture.
There are fears that if the challenge continues, yields could be compromised, although the situation could be turned around if AN and urea supplies were increased.
Zimbabwe: Farmers Intensify Planting allafrica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from allafrica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.