Tobacco exports to raise nearly $1bn in 2017

Tobacco exports to raise nearly $1bn in 2017 Chronicle 25 August 2017 Harare Bureau Tobacco exports are expected to reach nearly $1 billion during the 2017 season, the tobacco industry has revealed. This was said by Premier Tobacco Auction Floor managing director Mr Philemon Mangena yesterday at a prize giving ceremony for outstanding small holder …

Bird flu outbreak cuts chick supply by 500k a week

Bird flu outbreak cuts chick supply by 500k a week August 21, 2017By Own Correspondent The first outbreak struck Lanark Farm in May, where Irvine’s Zimbabwe was forced to slaughter 140 000 chickens. THE cost of poultry products is seen rising following the outbreak of avian influenza in Zimbabwe that has led to a drop in …

Millers’ body threatens not to pay farmers

Millers’ body threatens not to pay farmers Chronicle 23 August 2017 Mr Tafadzwa Musarara Harare Bureau THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe might stop paying farmers for maize produced under Command Agriculture if Government insists on fortification implementation. GMAZ has a standing agreement with Government in terms of which, it pledged to buy 800 000 …

Stockfeed prices yet to go down

Stockfeed prices yet to go down Chronicle 23 August 2017 Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter THE Zimbabwe Poultry Farmers’ Association (ZPFA) says stockfeed prices are yet to go down despite the bumper harvest realised this year. Following the good rains that the country received in the previous farming season, the country envisages a historic bumper harvest …

Africa’s growth lies with smallholder farmers

Africa’s growth lies with smallholder farmers August 22, 2017 in Feature Story, News AS the world’s population surges towards nine billion by midcentury, food production has failed to keep pace, creating rising food shortages and a global food crisis ahead, according to the United Nations. To avoid mass starvation, the world needs to produce 70% more food by …

Prices rise 50pc at National Breed Sale

Prices rise 50pc at National Breed Sale The Herald 22 August 2017 Ishemunyoro Chingwere Business Reporter A 50 percent increase in average prices was recorded at this year’s edition of the National Breed Sale as more farmers continue to embrace improved breeds in livestock production. The breed sale whose purpose is to record, preserve and improve the …

2017/18 registered tobacco farmers increase by 199 percent

2017/18 registered tobacco farmers increase by 199 percent Chronicle 22 August 2017 Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter THE number of new tobacco growers that have registered to grow the crop in the 2017/18 cropping season has increased by 199 percent to 21 331 compared to 7 131 during the same period last year. Tobacco expert, Mr …

GMFs: Food for the future?

GMFs: Food for the future? Herald 21 August 2017 With an ever-increasing population the demand for resources that include food, fuel and energy, the assurance of food security remains a real challenge facing many African governments. Traditional methods of food production and preservation remain the cheapest and surest way of ensuring benefit from the farming investment …

China eyes Zim citrus fruits

China eyes Zim citrus fruits Herald 21 August 2017 Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter China has expressed interest in importing citrus from Zimbabwe, and a quarantine delegation is in the country to inspect citrus farms to see if they meet the phytosanitary requirements. Phytosanitary relates to the health of plants, especially with respect to the requirements of …