Farai Mabeza, Senior Staff Writer 
PLAYERS in the tobacco industry are bullish about the country achieving the 200 million kg production following a good agriculture season, improved availability of inputs and increased hectarage.
However, there are still lingering questions over the foreign currency retention ratios and exchange disparities which farmers fear would worsen side marketing.
This comes as the government has mandated the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) to grow the sector’s annual production to 300 million kg, depending on global demand.
TIMB confirmed that the country was on course to meeting its 200 million kg target.
“With the way the 2021 season has been progressing, we are hopeful we will attain that target. As of day 31, we had received just above 106 million kgs of tobacco,” TIMB chief executive Meanwell Gudu said.
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