LOCAL NEWS

Staff reporter

The national airline, Air Zimbabwe, is set to enhance its fleet following the completion of flying tests for the newly acquired plane from Jet Network, of the United States of America.

Staff Reporter

As the tobacco auction season commences at the Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco (ZLT) auction floors in Karoi, Mashonaland West, contracted farmers are filled with optimism despite effects of the El Nino drought during the 2023/24 farming season.

Speaking with this publication at the ZLT auction floors, farmers expressed their gratitude towards their contracting companies, highlighting the crucial support that enabled them to produce tobacco this season.

Martin Svosve, a farmer from Hurungwe who planted 55,000 tobacco, plants on 3,7 hectares, emphasized the importance of this support.

"The El Niño-induced drought was a significant challenge for us. The Presidential irrigation schemes and the inputs provided by Atlas, especially during these tough economic times, prices were beyond our reach, it would have been difficult without their assistance.

“We are grateful for contract farming which allowed us to cultivate tobacco this season, because despite the drought, we managed to produce a decent yield thanks to the support we received.  We are looking forward to seeing the fruits of our labour pay off as we have high expectations for the outcome of this auction." Svosve added.

The sentiment was echoed by Samuel Gasva, a farmer from Magunje who managed to plant 1.5 hectares of tobacco through contract farming.

"Atlas's support was invaluable. Without their help, financing our operations would have been nearly impossible. Their support ensured that we could plant and maintain our crops despite the unfavorable weather conditions,” Gasva said.

Atlas Operations Manager, Taurai Jemedze elaborated on the company's broader strategy to mitigate drought risks.

“We are committed to supporting our farmers, regardless of the challenges. We operate in various other tobacco-producing areas such as Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland as this is in line with the Second Republic’s efforts of decentralisation.

This geographic spread is a key part of our drought mitigation strategy. Additionally, some of our growers have invested in irrigation infrastructure, providing a long-term solution to drought risks,” Jemedze added.

Meanwhile, at the ZLT auction floors in Mashonaland West, Karoi, the anticipation is palpable. Farmers are hopeful that their tobacco will fetch good prices, compensating for the challenges they faced during the growing season. The support from contracting companies like Atlas and ELT has been instrumental in maintaining their productivity and optimism.

Agriculture Reporter

Boost Hail and Cotton Quality Leaf Tobacco is assisting commercial farmers by providing them small pieces of land on their company farm as well as resources to cultivate crops beyond tobacco.

Staff Reporter

Farmers across Zimbabwe have expressed optimism following the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) prediction of a possible La Niña development later this year.

Staff Reporter

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is making significant progress in its efforts to revitalize and modernize its operations, after procuring 107 refurbished second-hand wagons from Transnet, a South African rail, port, and pipeline company.

Staff reporter

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has witnessed a significant increase in maize deliveries from farmers compared to the same period last year.

Staff reporter

Government's drive to resuscitate ailing companies is bearing fruit, with David Whitehead Textiles now operational and revitalizing local economies.

Staff Reporter

Citizens have called on the public transport operators to adopt online fare payments such as EcoCash and tap cards alongside other methods of payment in order to address perennial issues of change.

Staff reporter

Construction of the Manyame Water Treatment Plant is expected to greatly improve Harare's water supply. This ambitious project, expected to cost US$180 million, seeks to address the City's chronic water shortages by processing water from Lake Manyame.

Sports Reporter

Zimbabwean mixed martial artist Themba Gorimbo continues to elevate the nation’s presence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), defeating American fighter Ramiz Brahimaj in a welterweight bout yesterday.