No 100% forex retention, no tobacco deliveries

THE Tobacco Farmers Union of Zimbabwe is calling upon all tobacco farmers in the country to hold their tobacco until the government allows them to retain 100% of forex payments or increases the exchange rate, which is currently stagnant at US$1:$25 since the commencement of this year’s selling season.

The above rate is daylight robbery and an insult to tobacco farmers who spend more than six months in the fields working on the crop to get peanuts at the end of the day.

The rate is way below the parallel market rate which is currently hovering around US$1:$80.

Contracting companies and the government are benefiting more from the tobacco farmers sweat.

This will see a decrease in the number of farmers who will go for the crop next season and an increase in contract farming, compromising the independence of tobacco farmers.

It is on public record and it is public knowledge that merchants are paid 100% forex, so why steal the other 50% from the farmers who are responsible for the crop production?

The decision wether to convert US$ to Zimdollar should lie with the farmer. The government should not decide for us. We are not kindergartens. The government should stop sucking blood from the empty vessels of farmers.

The 50% Zimdollar component is nothing to the farmers, for they would have lost three-quarters if we use the current exchange rate, which is being used in every retail shop, including shops owned by the same people in government.

Prices of basic commodities and farming inputs are going up everyday yet the government exchange rate is stagnant.

A loaf of bread ($53) for a tobacco farmer costs US$2 using the government exchange rate, making it the most expensive loaf of bread on earth. Farmers have lost hope on this government, which totally turned a blind eye on them, taking advantage of the lockdown restrictions which makes co-ordination of farmers difficult.

We call upon the government to respect tobacco farmers as important and crucial players in the growth of the economy as tobacco is one of the major sources of foreign currency in Zimbabwe.

We also call upon Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri to address the above matter with urgency. Murimi munhu (a farmer is also a human being). Farmers deserve better treatment than this, if we are dedicated to have Zimbabwe working again.

The tobacco farmers’ voice Tobacco Farmers Union of Zimbabwe