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Getting it right from the field... Due to distortions in the pricing model and the volatile exchange rate, it has become increasingly difficult for tobacco growers in Zimbabwe to sustain their operations without support. In a bid to safeguard a consistent supply of high quality fully developed leaf the company decided to launch a contract growing scheme to support a few selected farmers starting at the beginning of the 2008-2009 farming tobacco season. The initial target is a total of 350 hectares for both Burley and Virginia.
 As implied above, the purpose of the contract growing scheme is for Savanna to build sound and lasting relationships with tobacco farmers who are the foundation of the company’s manufacturing processes. It also provides Savanna an opportunity to guarantee high quality right from the beginning through careful selection of the right farmers within the correct geographical areas. Providing Agronomical and technical support does not only ensure that Savanna gets the right quality leaf at the end, it also helps farmers who would be unable to access these services in the challenging economic environment currently prevailing in Zimbabwe. Other than agronomical and input support, the farmer is also assisted with subsidized transportation of the crop to the market, crop insurance and auction floor logistics. The greatest benefit however is that the contract scheme guarantees the farmer a stable and fair market for his crop at the end of the season as opposed to the unpredictable auction system.
Identification of Growers
The identification of growers is a meticulous process which starts off with a geographical mapping of the tobacco growing areas in Zimbabwe and an analysis of the types of grades that come from the different areas. Northern districts like Karoi north and South, Doma/Chinhoyi are fast ripening zones that produce heavy bodied orange leaf rich in nicotine and the southern zones in the Marondera Wedza, Odzi belt produce the lemon leaf and Chinese style tobacco. For a farmer to qualify for the scheme, a number of critical factors are considered. Some of these factors are:
- Skilled management
- Appropriate land
- Availability of infrastructure – irrigation equipment, barns, tractors and implements etc
- Labour availability within the proximity
- Water availability
- Security/collateral
- Production history (past records/sales sheets)
- Proof of tenure
- Sufficient barn capacity
- Curing coal or fire wood
- Storage facilities
To-date nearly 200 farmers have been taken on board on the scheme and recruitment of more is ongoing. The scheme is promising to be a huge success.
Distribution of Inputs
The distribution of inputs is done according to the rate of utilization consistent with proposed package of inputs the company intended to sponsor per hectare.
Crop development is monitored every step of the way and growers will be advised of the solutions to the challenges and adjustments to the rates of inputs application. Agronomic and technical support is offered through various ways including, visits, meetings, one to one training and field days, among other methods.
Looking ahead
Savanna plans to partner with even more farmers in different parts of the country. The company is confident that the relationships being built with farmers will continue to be mutually beneficial and that the scheme will grow bigger and stronger in the coming years.
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