THE tobacco industry is on course for another record-breaking year, with production expected to reach between 380 million and 400 million kilogrammes this year.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Anxious Masuka, said the sector continues to play a transformative role in the country's economy.
Masuka described tobacco as a key driver of rural development, noting that the industry now supports more than 135,000 farmers, the majority of whom are smallholder producers.
"Tobacco is a rural transformation crop,” he said.
“More than 135,000 farmers are involved in its production, with about 85 percent being smallholder farmers who are earning an average of around US$10,000 annually.”
"We are learning from countries such as India to strengthen value addition and ensure we derive greater value from our tobacco industry.”
Masuku was speaking on the sidelines of the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) Africa regional meeting in Harare.
ITGA chief executive, Mercedes Vasquez commended Zimbabwe's tobacco industry, describing its crop as among the finest globally.
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"Zimbabwean tobacco is recognised as one of the highest-quality tobacco in the world because of its experienced growers and strong production systems," she said.
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