Tobacco farming in central Tanzania. Production of the crop is spreading eastwards as the whole of Manyoni District is now engaged in the activity. (File photo)
Farmers in Manyoni District, Singida Region have raked in 14,540,862,610/- after having sold 6,353,292 kg of the crop between 2007/2008 and 2009/2010.
Tobacco Cooperative Union (CETCU) chairman Jafari Msangi, said the amount collected resulted from increased crop production in the district during the period under review.
According to him, in the 2007/2008 agricultural season, the farmers produced a total of 1,770,779 kgs worth 1,905,061,148/-; while in 2008/2009 the harvested 1,955,873 kgs worth 5,123,595,612/-. This was followed by production of 2,626,640 kgs worth 7,512,205,550/- in the 2009/2010 season.
However, Msangi explained that in the current season they expect to harvest 3,507,912 kgs worth USD5,612,659.2 , equivalent to 8,418,988,800/-.
Furthermore, the chairman said that more people were joining tobacco farming and that the trend is not unique in Tanzania but global.
He said this has caused the price to tobacco to drop from USD2.13 to 1.60 per kg in the world market.
“The fact that our factories lack sufficient processing facililities has contributed to the general drop of price as well as purchasing preferences,” Msangi said.
He further said that the union’s cooperation with the government in searching for buyers has started bearing fruits and that it was possible that by next year there would be more buyers.
Speaking with tobacco farmers from Mwamagembe village, Manyoni District Commissioner Ally Rufunga said tobacco farming was officially introduced in the district in the 1973/1974 agricultural season at Itigi division, but has now spread all over the district.
He mentioned other areas that engage in tobacco production as Semembo, Mkwese, Masigati, Itagata, Mwamagembe and Rungwa.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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