The deadline for farme rs to renew their growers’ numbers has passed, with a total of 82 965 growers registered for the 2025/26 season.
Each year, both new and returning growers must register with the board before commencing production.
Farmers who fail to register by the deadline will incur penalties. Registration renewals must be completed by October 31.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the registration fee is US$10 for those who register before the October 31 deadline.
For the period between November 1 and December 31, farmers will have to pay US$10 for registration and a penalty fee of US$10 to make it US$20.
Registration between January 1 and a day before the floors open attracts a penalty fee of US$40 on top of the US$10 registration.
Those who register from the day of sales will pay US$90 penalty fee and US$10 fee.
The renewal of the growers’ number is a process, which is a statutory requirement under the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act (Chapter 18:20).
“Registration is crucial in promoting an organised, transparent and well-coordinated industry.
“This exercise not only satisfies legal obligations but also provides essential data used for national planning and forecasting.
“Through registration TIMB can estimate the total crop size, determine the number of growers, and plan for flawless marketing activities,” said TIMB.
“To qualify for registration, growers are required to provide proof of land access such as title deeds or offer letters, a stamped recommendation letter from their local AGRITEX officer confirming that they are bona fide growers, a copy of their national identification card, and the prescribed registration fee,” TIMB said.
“The registration fee is US$10 if paid before October 31. Late registration attracts penalties: an additional US$10 for those registering between November 1 and December31, and US$40 for registrations between December 31 and the start of the marketing season.
“Any grower registering after the marketing season commences will pay a penalty of US$90 in addition to the standard fee,” said TIMB.
Effective registration enables the regulatory board to plan for auction operations, monitor production trends and assist in resource mobilisation for buying of the crop.
According to TIMB, reliable data also helps maintain price stability by aligning production volumes with market demand, preventing oversupply that can lead to unviable prices.
Zimbabwe is the major flue-cured tobacco producer in Africa and occupies fifth position in the world as many communal farmers joined the lucrative farming sector following the land reform programme.
This season, production stood at 355 million kg valued at US$1,2 billion.
The increase in tobacco production has been attributed to high prices and an organised market, availability of funding through contractors.
Tobacco has earned a strategic position in the economy because of its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and foreign currency earnings.
In Zimbabwe, over three million people depend on the industry for their livelihoods.
The land reform programme embarked on by Government in year 2000 has seen more indigenous farmers growing the once elite crop, a move that has economically empowered them.-herald
