12/01/2024
Starting To***co Farming Business
Zimbabwe is a major to***co producer in Africa and is amongst the world’s largest producers of flue cured to***co competing with countries such as China, Brazil and the Unites States of America. Operating a to***co farming business is very rewarding. To***co is a major foreign currency earner with exports amounting to at least $481 million (2015) per annum. Since cigarette production is on a small scale, the major activities in this industry are growing, curing, handling and distribution. To***co is a successful cash crop opportunity for you to make money, after all making profits is one major reason for going into business.
Over the past few years, to***co farmers have increased in Zimbabwe and this proves that there is still an opportunity to join this sector. In total, there are at least 140 large scale commercial farmers and at least 4000 small scale farmers. Most of the to***co farmers in Zimbabwe are contract farmers. You need a good business plan before starting to***co farming business.
What you need
KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TO***CO
In Zimbabwe, the common types of to***co are flue cured, burley and oriental to***co. Flue cured is the most common and its production is mainly done in the high rainfall areas in the north and east of Harare. In the east of Harare, a thicker slower maturing type is grown whilst in the north the Virginia type of to***co is grown. The thicker type is mainly used for blended ci******es. Burley to***co is grown in the northeast and eastern highlands because the areas have high rainfalls and a prolonged period of high humidity favorable for curing.
It is important that you attend training forums and understand that different regions grow different types of to***co. To***co farming is very challenging and you need to invest your time in acquiring the necessary knowledge because it is knowledge based and the capital outlays are very significant and you can only reap them back if you apply this knowledge appropriately. Areas such as Karoi, Nyazura, Macheke and Marondera are good for to***co farming.
TO***CO FARM
Small scale commercial farmers plant the crop on at least ten hectares. A larger planting area contributes significantly to output especially if the yield per hectare is managed fairly well. This usually should be 2000kg per hectare. Increase in planting areas and yields contribute significantly to output. Most farmers are freehold owners with the farms belonging to individual, limited liability companies and large corporations it is in your best interest when the farm belongs to you.
GROWING PHASE
To***co needs good land preparation. While you prepare land, you need to construct seedbeds and plant the to***co seeds. These need to be nurtured and watered if for example you have an irrigation system. In two months, you may transplant the crop, by then the plant would have grown to a height of 15-20 cm. The plant should then be left to grow for at least two to three months with good irrigation or rainfall and also proper cultivation. Cultivation helps nurture quality thus maximizing yield and also reduce the rate at which the golden leaf can be attacked by pests.
HARVESTING PHASE
Harvesting methods differ depending on the type of to***co. For example burley can be harvested by the whole plant. Leaf by leaf harvesting can be done for the Virginia and oriental to***co. Monitor and evaluate the progress in the growth of the plant to avoid early harvest.
CURING PHASE
This is the most critical stage because it influences the quality of the leaf. Depending on your to***co you may air cure if its burley to***co, flue cure Virginia to***co and sun cure oriental to***co. After curing, the leaf can then be sorted, packed and sent to the to***co floors.
CURING
This should be done right and contributed to the leaf quality. Since they are different types of to***co there are different types of methods to use such as air curing for burley, flue curing for Virginia, and sun curing for oriental.
PROCESSING
Virginia to***co can be processed to separate the stem and lamina. To dry up the to***co, you need the right moisture content.
PRACTICE CROP ROTATION
To maintain the land, crop rotation is key and it helps nurture your land with nutrients. Crops such as maize, soybean, maize and ground nuts can be rotated on the land after a period of five years.
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
You may need modern machinery such as drip line and overhead irrigation and other basic farming equipment. You need to set up curing and harvesting buildings.
TARGET MARKET
To***co farming is different and does not follow the regular marketing channels. The target market is made up of merchants and exporters who usually come to assess the product at the to***co sales floor. Therefore to attract merchants, your to***co should be of a high quality. The to***co is bought at auction floors and contract floors in Harare.
There are other associations and businesses that promote, train and help in the expansion of the business for small and large commercial farmers. These are the Zimbabwe To***co Association, To***co Research Board and Blackfordby. It is important that you network and associate with the above organizations to help increase your knowledge and also stay up to date.
MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
To***co farming is a major contributor of rural employment. At least 17 000 people are employed including seasonal employees. The number of employees required to grow and harvest the crop may vary depending on the size of your to***co farm and also the type of equipment you employ. You will need foremen and many laborers. The to***co farming business is labor intensive. The managers of the to***co farm should be well trained in operating a to***co farming business.
Technical knowledge is essential to succeed in the to***co farming business. To manage your farm properly you need employees in to***co research, marketing and manufacturing. Therefore you may need a reforestation technician, leaf technician, irrigation technician, research fellow and the low level workers to till and work the lands.
CHALLENGES OF TO***CO FARMING BUSINESS
The to***co sector is faced with restrictive challenges such as increase in the promotion of cigarette taxes and campaigns against cigarette smoking in some countries. This affects the amount of to***co that is exported annually. Relating to Zimbabwe, farmers face challenges during processing due to shortages and electricity cuts. Capital outlays are also a major challenge since farmers may require funds to purchase equipment, buy inputs and pay wages. Capital is quite difficult to assess with no collateral.Most to***co farmers engage in contract farming. This is whereby the buyers provide the farmers with the inputs for to***co farming. This reduces the capital required to run a to***co farming business.
