US$12k tobacco goes up in smoke

MORE than 15 farmers at Vilvekia Farm in Guruve have lost tobacco worth about US$12 000 after fire gutted six curing barns.

The farm chairman, Mr Plan Kumadiro, said the fire reduced their tobacco to ashes, which they were expecting to send to the auction floors this week.

“We have lost tobacco worth thousands of dollars after fire broke out around 2am on Wednesday last week,” he said.

“We have not yet established the cause of the fire, but six barns were all razed to the ground. Several farmers have contracts with companies like Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco, CTL and Mashonaland Tobacco Company.

“Our contracts do not have insurance cover and it’s a double loss to us as we still have to repay the loans.”

Guruve South legislator Cde Patrick Dutiro said: “It is unfortunate that we have lost a huge amount of tobacco when the country needs foreign currency. It is not just a loss to the farmers, but to the nation as well. What pains most is that these youths had invested their time and income in having this crop in this very difficult economic environment. The situation is compounded by the fact that they do not have insurance for their crops.”