THE hunt for a new Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) chief executive officer (CEO) is now on after the post was advertised recently.
The majority of tobacco players are supporting an individual who will prop up the indigenous farmers that pushed for an increased production, NewsDay Weekender has gathered.
Some players believe that stability within the sector for the past three years under acting CEO Emmanuel Matsvaire is likely to continue if the land reform gains are not reversed.
“Generally, there has been a boost in tobacco production, achievement of nearly 300 million kilogrammes target of golden leaf and it was a record breaking for the past 40 years,” a local merchant who declined to be named said.
“Tobacco production is boosting, with small-scale farmers playing their role besides some teething challenges since the land reform in 2000.
“The farmers are now part of the game changers in the sector.”
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president George Seremwe said the appointment is more of a technical issue, with the government and other stakeholders giving support whenever possible.
“We urge the government to take into consideration on how the current leadership at TIMB has helped in the improvement and stability in the sector,” he said.
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“The government must be hailed for a better tobacco sector that we cherish. It is good that some farmers have improved their livelihoods.”
Believe Tevera, a small-scale farmer based in Chakoma village under Chief Dotito in Mashonaland Central province added his voice, saying there was notable stability in the tobacco farming sector.
“Some of small-scale farmers are happy with the future programmes for the sector,” he said.
“It is important to give those at the helm more time to implement what they formulated.”
Zimbabwe Progressive Tobacco Farmers Association president Mtandwa Mutasa differed, saying small-scale farmers were still yet to benefit from the so called improvement of tobacco industry due to value-addition chain limitations.
“Yes, it is true that tobacco output is growing, but what it is that small-scale farmers can smile about remains a challenge,” he said.
“We are celebrating milestone achievements, but tobacco growers are being treated as mere tobacco producers, not as game changers of the whole industry.
“We are calling for the government to include tobacco as part of the value-addition chain, including the grower who is the backbone of the whole process.
“Growers have been taken for granted for too long and we hope it will be rectified soon.”
Tobacco sector operations have been decentralised to farming towns like Karoi, in Mashonaland West, Marondera in Mashonaland East, among others, marking yet another milestone of not living anyone or place behind.
