Mashonaland Central Tops Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Grower Registrations
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Mashonaland Central has emerged as Zimbabwe’s leading tobacco-producing province, with 47,622 registered growers for the 2024/25 season, according to the latest Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics. Nationwide, 132,446 farmers have signed up – a 2% decrease from last season’s 135,442 registrations.
The TIMB data reveals stark regional variations, with Matabeleland recording the most significant growth – jumping from just 2 growers last season to 153 this year. Mashonaland West follows Central with 45,787 registrations, while Manicaland and Mashonaland East have 21,027 and 17,561 growers respectively.
Communal farmers continue dominating the sector (72,889), followed by A1 (44,414), A2 (8,251) and small-scale growers (6,892). Contract farming now covers 119,515 growers (90% of total), providing guaranteed inputs but raising concerns about auction system sustainability.
“Contract farming ensures input access but requires careful regulation to prevent price manipulation,” noted an agricultural economist. The golden leaf supports 1.2 million jobs and 6 million dependants, remaining Zimbabwe’s most profitable crop per hectare.
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Magistrate Orders Police to Refund UZ Lecturers Over Salary Protest Fines
A Harare magistrate has ruled in favour of three University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers, ordering the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to refund fines they paid after being arrested for protesting over poor salaries and working conditions.
