Staff Reporter
The country has recorded the highest-ever tobacco output, earning US$793 million so far.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the golden leaf sales reached 261 million kg surpassing the previous 259 million kgs, Cabinet heard on Wednesday.
Acting Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said Zimbabwe has recorded the highest tobacco production in its 198 years of history.
“The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, reported that the country’s tobacco output in the ongoing 2023 marketing season currently stands at 261 million kilogrammes, surpassing the previous record of 259 million kilogrammes.
“This is on the backdrop of the fact that 85 percent of the tobacco is being produced by smallholder farmers, 60 percent of whom are beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme, demonstrating that Government policies in the agriculture sector are sound and continue to bear fruit,” he said.
Tobacco land use grew to 117,000 hectares this season from 110,000 hectares in 2022, according to the TIMB.
The number of tobacco farmers rose to 148,527 this year from 123,000 in 2022, reflecting the transformation of the sector from pre-land reform years.
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