BusinessNewsBy Tafadzwa MuranganwaMurehwa-A young tobacco farmer from Murehwa South Constituency is optimistic about the current tobacco cropping season following favourable rains.Sixpence Chirenje made the remarks during a field day held at his homestead in Mangwende Village on Saturday.Chirenje, who is also Ward 7 councillor and treasurer-general of the newly formed Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED, planted two hectares of tobacco and is expecting a yield of about 3 000 kilogrammes.“I have, over the past two years, expanded my tobacco production to two hectares and, because of the good rains we have been receiving, I am expecting not less than 3 000 kilogrammes. This can translate to over US$10 000 when sold at the auction floors,” said Chirenje.Murehwa South Member of Parliament Noah Mangondo commended Chirenje for providing exemplary leadership.“What we are witnessing here is able leadership—leading by example as a councillor in demonstrating how tobacco farming should be done,” said Mangondo.“I am sure everyone here can testify that this man means serious business. Despite his small stature, he is truly a giant in farming,” he added.The event also saw over 10 tobacco farmers being recognised and rewarded with farming implements by the Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED, with Chirenje emerging as the overall first prize winner.Meanwhile, Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED national chairperson Jesina Mangwiro highlighted the challenges facing tobacco farmers, particularly access to finance.“We are appealing to financial institutions to provide affordable loans with less stringent collateral requirements so that farmers can expand production and contribute meaningfully towards attaining Vision 2030,” Mangwiro said.She also called upon stakeholders such as the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) and the Tobacco Research Board to roll out capacity-building workshops, especially targeting youths venturing into tobacco farming.The Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED was established in March 2025 and is targeting a membership of 10 000 farmers nationwide.
The organisation has embarked on provincial launches, with Mashonaland East hosting the inaugural event on Saturday, ahead of the next launch in Mashonaland West.Saturday’s event was also attended by officials from Agritex, tertiary institutions and the corporate sector.Leave a ReplyCancel reply BusinessNewsBy Tafadzwa MuranganwaMurehwa-A young tobacco farmer from Murehwa South Constituency is optimistic about the current tobacco cropping season following favourable rains.Sixpence Chirenje made the remarks during a field day held at his homestead in Mangwende Village on Saturday.Chirenje, who is also Ward 7 councillor and treasurer-general of the newly formed Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED, planted two hectares of tobacco and is expecting a yield of about 3 000 kilogrammes.“I have, over the past two years, expanded my tobacco production to two hectares and, because of the good rains we have been receiving, I am expecting not less than 3 000 kilogrammes. The organisation has embarked on provincial launches, with Mashonaland East hosting the inaugural event on Saturday, ahead of the next launch in Mashonaland West.Saturday’s event was also attended by officials from Agritex, tertiary institutions and the corporate sector. Murehwa-A young tobacco farmer from Murehwa South Constituency is optimistic about the current tobacco cropping season following favourable rains.
Sixpence Chirenje made the remarks during a field day held at his homestead in Mangwende Village on Saturday. Chirenje, who is also Ward 7 councillor and treasurer-general of the newly formed Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED, planted two hectares of tobacco and is expecting a yield of about 3 000 kilogrammes. “I have, over the past two years, expanded my tobacco production to two hectares and, because of the good rains we have been receiving, I am expecting not less than 3 000 kilogrammes.
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This can translate to over US$10 000 when sold at the auction floors,” said Chirenje. Murehwa South Member of Parliament Noah Mangondo commended Chirenje for providing exemplary leadership. “What we are witnessing here is able leadership—leading by example as a councillor in demonstrating how tobacco farming should be done,” said Mangondo.
“I am sure everyone here can testify that this man means serious business. Despite his small stature, he is truly a giant in farming,” he added. The event also saw over 10 tobacco farmers being recognised and rewarded with farming implements by the Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED, with Chirenje emerging as the overall first prize winner. Meanwhile, Allied Tobacco Farmers for ED national chairperson Jesina Mangwiro highlighted the challenges facing tobacco farmers, particularly access to finance.
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