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Zimbabwean leaf tobacco sales totaled $49.9 million after the first nine days of trading, compared to $24.5 million during the same period in 2020, the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) reported.
Leaf growers delivered 19.97 million kg during the first nine days, up 83 percent over the 10.8 million kg from like 2020. This season’s crop garnered an average price of $2.50 per kg to date, up from $2.27 per kg at this point last season.
However, farmers’ unions are displeased with current leaf prices, which dropped during the second week of the marketing season.
“The first week of this tobacco selling season saw the firming of prices above $5 per kg; some tobacco was sold at $6.30 per kg, which was paid by contractors,” said Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union President Shadreck Makombe.
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.
Land bank milestone for agric sector
Agriculture Reporter
The Agricultural Finance Corporation has been revived and will now trade as the Land Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (LADBZ) to support the overall transformation process for accelerated development of the country.
The LADBZ will have four subsidiaries under it, including Agribank which will continue operating as it has been doing.
Announcing the board of directors for the LADBZ yesterday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said the bank was critical in the agricultural landscape.
“The LADBZ is a key institution which will immediately ensure there is a vibrant land bank,” he said. “Agribank will continue to do what it has been doing, but diversify into other activities, all inclusive. The LADBZ will also ensure there is a leasing company which will provide services to farmers.
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.