Zimbabwe: Over 90pc tobacco farmers opt for contracts

Source: Over 90pc tobacco farmers opt for contracts | The Herald (Top Stories) Precious Manomano Herald Reporter. About 92 percent of tobacco growers this season have so far opted for contract farming after failing to acquire funds that will sustain their operations. Farmers are worried that the sharp decline of the auction system could see manipulation in favour of the contractors, frustrating tobacco farmers from growing the key crop. The free tobacco volumes have shrunk as farmers, mostly those who benefited under the Land Reform Programme, joined contract schemes as they did not have money to finance themselves. The country’s auction system used to be the marketing model of tobacco in the world. Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicate that 107 415 flue cured tobacco growers have registered compared to 143 660 growers who had registered during the same period last year. Mashonaland Central is leading with 40 464 growers followed by Mashonaland ...