The tobacco marketing season commenced on the 8th of March 2023, coinciding with the International Women’s day with calls for equity not only on women growing tobacco but also those who are working in the whole value chain.
The 2023 golden leaf marketing season was officially opened by Zimbabwe’s Vice President Dr Constantine Chiwenga at Tobacco Sales Floor(TSF) in Harare with Tobacco Sales Floor (TSF) and Premier Tobacco Auction Floors (PTAF), having been licensed by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
Enetty Chitsunge, a female tobacco farmer said she very pleased seeing women around at the auction floors as It shows that women are also fully participating in agricultural activities.
“I am still finalising on logistical issues to ferry my tobacco to the auction floor but the percentage of women growing tobacco is increasing year by year which is very important as as the issue of women empowerment and development is concerned,”said the Mount Darwin based tobacco farmer.
Another farmer who preferred anonymity said she is happy with the services they are getting at PTAF.
Premium Leaf Zimbabwe is offering farmers with special meals and perfect auctioning process with security personnel manning the premises to avoid cases of farmers being duped by the cunning middle men.
TIMB said they are happy with progress being made by women in growing tobacco in the country as more women venture into the formerly male dominated tobacco farming in the country.
“I came here yesterday to sell my tobacco and the classifying team is very organised and no confusion as of yet and people are also getting meals and i can see that PTAF is valuing farmers,”she added.
This season, tobacco farmers will be paid 85 percent of their sales proceeds in foreign currency and the remaining quarter in Zimbabwe dollars and this will be paid directly into the growers’ foreign currency accounts with the money being rated as free funds.The remaining 15 percent local currency will be deposited into the growers’ local bank accounts or e-wallets.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president, Victor Mariranyika said this season’s yield is expected to be better than last season due to the implementation of best agronomic practices.
On the first day of the 2023 tobacco marketing season, 48 938 kilograms of tobacco were sold at auction floors. Tobacco sales at contract floors began on the 9th of March 2023.
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