As the 2024-25 tobacco cropping season is now in full swing, the distribution of fertilizers and land chemicals for our commercial farmers and irrigators began in early August and was completed in time for the planting on 1st September. Currently, tobacco for our commercial growers and irrigators is at various stages of vegetative growth. Additionally, all commercial growers have received their coal for curing tobacco at their respective locations. Shasha Tobacco takes pride in offering customized packages for all its commercial growers, ensuring they receive inputs such as agricultural lime, gypsum, and other specialized fertilizers based on their specific requirements.
Shasha Tobacco is currently engaged in the provision of fertilizers and agrochemicals to its small-scale tobacco growers. These growers typically commence tobacco transplanting after the onset of effective rainfall, which occurs from late October to early November. The company offers packages tailored to small-scale farmers with land sizes ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 hectares. Each package includes adequate fertilizers and land chemicals to facilitate the production of high-quality, high-yielding tobacco. Contracted farmers are supplied with basal fertilizers in the form of High B (9:24:20) and top-dressing fertilizers in the form of Ammonium Nitrate (34.5% N), sourced from our technical partner, Omnia Nutriology. Additionally, land chemicals, including insecticides, fungicides, and suckercides, are provided by our technical partner, Acol Chemical (Technical Services Africa).
Shasha Tobacco is distinguished by its internal transport and logistics Standard Business Unit (SBU) known as Shasha Logistics, which oversees the transportation and distribution of inputs to contracted farmers. Shasha Logistics is equipped with a fleet of horse and trailer trucks, as well as small rigid trucks, enabling the efficient transportation of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals to all the tobacco-growing regions in which Shasha Tobacco operates. This season, Shasha Logistics’ trucks have successfully delivered inputs to Shasha Tobacco growers in various areas, including Nyamazira in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, Sohwe in Dotito, Mashonaland Central Province, and Bakasa in Guruve, Mashonaland Central Province, among others.
The distribution of our inputs is carried out through a collaborative effort involving drivers from Shasha Logistics, field officers from our agronomy department, and personnel from our agro-admin department. This process strictly follows our standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the issuance of inputs. Field officers in our agronomy department are responsible for organizing farmers to various input collection points within our operational areas. On the other hand, personnel from our agro-admin department ensure the delivery of inputs to the intended beneficiaries. At Shasha Tobacco, we have implemented a unique system to guarantee the delivery of inputs to the intended beneficiaries in the correct quantities, without any bias towards the farmer or the company. Consequently, our input distribution system is characterized by high transparency and enhanced accountability.