Tobacco farmers have demanded that the reafforestation programme should be expedited amid indications that only 4 500 hectares of gum trees have been planted since collection of the levy started in 2015.
The current sluggish reforestation efforts may make Zimbabwe’s tobacco less appealing on global markets that now favour products produced using sustainable methods.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/tobacco-farmers-demand-answers-on-us46m-afforestation-levy/">The Herald</a>, Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) chief executive officer Rodney Ambrose said currently, 70 per cent of the tobacco produced in the country is cured using wood. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s now almost 10 years since TIMB started collecting an afforestation tax of 0.75 per cent from growers with over US$40 million collected and very few afforestation programmes taking place.
Afforestation programmes are critical to the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco production and markets, as close to 70 per cent of the crop is cured using wood.
</blockquote>
In the 2015 national budget, the Government re-introduced the tobacco levy on tobacco growers at a rate of US$0.015 per dollar of the selling price.
The funds generated from the levy are meant for financing re-forestation activities.
In the 2016 national budget, the tobacco levy was slashed by half to 0.75 per cent due to El Nino and has remained on that level until now.
Calculation of statistics from TIMB shows that over US$46 million has been collected since 2015.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Tobacco Farmers Want Afforestation Programme To Be Expedited

Tobacco farmers have pleaded with the government for help to alleviate the negative impacts of the current electricity crisis on farming.
US$300 million of irrigated tobacco crop is reportedly under threat as load shedding is affecting the curing of the golden leaf.
In a letter dated 5 December 2022, the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) pleaded with the Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka to intervene. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
There is an immediate requirement for tobacco farmers to access concessionary-priced diesel fuel for generator use either through their contractor or through a government facility.
Listings of affected farmers and requirements can be accessed through associations, unions, contractors and TIMB.
For effective curing and handling of this crop, 24 hours of continuous power is required on tobacco farms.
Currently, farms are getting on average seven hours of power per day, barring any faults, which is 30% of the requirements from the utility.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is experiencing power cuts of up to 18 hours a day due to reduced generation at Kariba caused by low water levels and recurrent breakdowns at Hwange.
As of 8 December, 2022, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) was generating 506MW from its 5 power stations.
Hwange was generating 296MW, Kariba 200MW, Bulawayo 10MW, while Munyati and Harare were generating nothing. | <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/power-cuts-shocker/">Business Times</a>

Load Shedding Disrupts Tobacco Curing

We would like to apologise to the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) for an article “Tobacco Farmers Threaten To Withhold Crop Over 30% Forex Retention Threshold”.
We have since been advised that ZTA CEO Rodney Ambrose nor the association’s president Warren Gillwald as well as farmers did not threaten to withhold their crop over the 30% forex retention threshold.
Any inconvenience is sincerely regretted.

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