Mozambique: Italy pledges to invest in agribusiness, rural development projects
File photo: Notícias
Tobacco growers in the district of Muembe, Niassa province, are expected to earn at least 10 million meticais (around US$166,763 at current exchange rates) from production of about 630 tonnes in the current agricultural marketing year.
Of the total income, 4.9 million meticais from the sale about 321 tons of the crop was already in the hands of the producers by last week.
In the current agricultural season, three prices are set for the marketing of Virginia tobacco, from 57 meticais per kilogram of first quality to 18 meticais per kilogram of the third quality.
According to Cláudio Ferreira, head of the Mozambique Leaf Tobacco company, which grows the crop in Niassa and Zambézia provinces, around 2,400 farmers grow tobacco in an area estimated at 862 hectares in Muembe district.
Producers in this district of the interior of Niassa were able to react positively to irregular rainfall this season by adhering strictly to the crop management techniques taught by extensionists, with quality product in volumes that quite surpassed expectations.
Ferreira highlighted the good relationship between his company and the Muembe producers, which had contributed to the understanding between the parties over the purchase price of tobacco.
Governor of Niassa Arlindo Chilundo, who is visiting Muembe district, challenged MLT to promote the planting of community forestry as a contribution to mitigating the environmental impact of tobacco growing.
In interactions with producers, Chilundo urged them to open bank accounts so that their payments could be made by transfers, not only promoting saving but also lessening the risk of theft.
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