Low prices, high input costs leave ‘golden leaf’ farmers swimming in poverty

FOR Rainos Kamutsa (54), a contracted tobacco farmer in Hurungwe East, Mashonaland West province, hope is wearing thin.

For the past five years, the farmer from Chinhere village under Chief Mjinga has felt tied to his contractor, supplying inputs at a cost that keeps him from gaining financial independence.

“I am still yet to gain full control of my tobacco farming,” said a dejected Kamutsa.

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