LOCAL NEWS

Political Reporter

Political analysts have lauded the firm stance, taken by the Mashonaland West Province, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo for Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) to adhere to the country’s laid down laws and regulations in their efforts to collaborate with Government in the fight against the El Nino induced drought. 

Staff reporter

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has seized and secured the property of former NMB Assistant Finance Manager, Nyasha Dumbu after proving before the High Court that the property was tainted.

Staff Reporter

The Government has launched the 4th Round Monitoring Exercise for the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) alongside two other issues in the strengthening of Zimbabwe’s Development Cooperation Architecture in Harare today.

…As returnees are sent to Chitepo School of Ideology

Staff Reporter

ZANU PF is set to send defecting former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members to the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to align them with the party's identity, values and ethos.

Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Karoi intercepted a truck transporting smuggled groceries worth US$16,000 from Zambia to Harare.

Staff Reporter

Hurungwe District in Mashonaland West Province, is witnessing significant infrastructural development in road and bridge construction.

Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent a message of condolence to the Islamic Republic of Iran following the untimely death of President Dr Ebrahim Seyyed Raisi, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as well as other Government officials on 19 May 2024 in a helicopter crash.

Staff Reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)-led City of Harare (CoH) risks exposing its residents to water borne diseases from untreated water, as it fails to honour its debt obligation with the largest producer of water treatment chemicals, Zimbabwe Phosphate Industries (ZimPhos).

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.