Published: 30 January 2014

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicated that more than 87,000 growers have so far registered for the 2014 season.

"To date, about 87,281 growers have registered for the 2014 season compared to about 65,444 who had registered by the same period last year," said the marketing board.

Over the years, the tobacco sub-sector has become one of Zimbabwe's major agricultural exports accounting for 10,7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2012.

Since the adoption of a multi-currency system in February 2009, the sector has contributed significantly to Zimbabwe's economy through liquidity support at a time when economic recovery efforts were impacted negatively by liquidity challenges.

In 2013, the country aimed to produce at least 170 million kg of tobacco and at the close of the season 166,5 million kg of the golden leaf had been sold at an average price of $3, 70 per kg, realising $616,1 million.
- herald

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