Business Initiatives
The initiatives undertaken by TIMB are centered on improving the profitability of farming tobacco and alternative crops. The initiatives are catering for farmers of all scales, but the primary focus is on small-scale farmers. The main aim is to promote and enhance the participation of these farmers in the mainstream economy.
1. Centralised Tobacco Production Initiative (CTPI)
The accelerated land reform program of the year 2000 saw the conversion of the once private forests into a public good. However, this increased the rate of deforestation and land degradation. While, the resettled farmers have improved significantly over the years, contributing more than 60% of the national production, they have enjoyed less economies and their viability is threatened. TIMB introduced the Centralised Tobacco Programmes Initiative (CTPI) to bring farmers together, organize their production, access financing and build their farming business. The pilot has been set in Trelawney, where 28 farmers were formalized into a cooperative company. This has enabled the farmers to access financing for irrigation infrastructure (including 2 centre pivots), repair and restoration of commercial tobacco curing facilities and land preparation equipment (including a tractor). In year 2, the farmers grossed more than US$300,000. Their operations have been completely turned into commercial production, an outcome that complements Rural Development 8.0. The model will be replicated across all tobacco growing districts in line with TIMB’s focal areas.
2. TIMB-AFC INSURANCE INITIATIVE
There have been concerns over unsettled insurance claims and unethical practices in tobacco insurance. Most small-scale farmers had lost faith in insurance, a phenomenon which goes against the push for “farming as a business”. TIMB has partnered with AFC Insurance to develop an insurance product that suits small-scale farmers and the two are collaborating in farmer education to foster the inclusion of grassroots farmers in the mainstream economy in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030. The initiative has seen more farmers taking up insurance. More than 6,000 hectares were insured in the 2023/24 season.
3. ALTERNATIVE CURING FUELS
TIMB is investing significantly in the development of alternative curing fuels and methods in collaboration with Kutsaga and other private partners. This is in line with sustainability milestones set by the tobacco export markets which have raised concerns over deforestation and use of coal in tobacco curing. Through the collaborative effort of TIMB, Kutsaga and Gas Cure Pvt Ltd, an LPG/Biogas Barn has been commissioned. The technology has the advantages of:
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Less labour requirements
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Uniformly cured tobacco
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Automated monitoring systems
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Shorter times for harvesting
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Cheaper installation costs compared to other commercial barns
Leveraging Muzarabani gas discoveries and abundant organic matter in Zimbabwean farms, the technology is set to replace some unsustainable curing methods.
4. AGRICULTURAL EXPORT STANDARDS CONSULTANCY
TIMB has been a Community Member of GLOBAL.G.A.P. since 2022 and offers consultancy on several standards including GLOBALG.A.P. IFA V6 (Fruits and Vegetables), GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practices and Quality Management Systems & Internal Auditing among others. The initiative is aimed at enhancing the accessibility of consultancy services to farmers and encouraging the participation of tobacco farmers in alternative crop export value chains. TIMB has a highly trained and competent team of consultants who have successfully prepared several farmers for audits and developed capacity building materials for organizations within alternative crop value chains. Going forward, TIMB shall develop markets of alternative crops to tobacco, organize farmers into producer groups, facilitate compliance and competitiveness of alternative value chains and link farmers to markets and various other value chain players.
5. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
TIMB is currently undertaking multiple research projects linked to the tobacco value chain in line with national and global conventions such as the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and OECD Best Practice Principles for Regulatory Policy, among others. The research is aimed at fostering the sustainability of the industry.
To partner with TIMB on these and other business initiatives:
Call Tapiwa on 0772947395
Robert on 0778092670
Contact businessdevelopment@timb.co.zw