By ZBC Reporter
THE 2021 tobacco selling season gets underway this Wednesday, with auction floors ready for the marketing of the golden leaf.
A snap survey at the auction floors shows that tobacco has started trickling in from growers.
Most of the auction floors were busy putting final touches to ensure a smooth opening, with expectations of better prices due to an anticipated improvement in the quality of the commodity.
“We are ready for the season as you can see we are busy putting the final touches so that come this Wednesday we will not face any challenge.
“Tirikutarisira mwaka wakanaka sezvo tagadzirira hurongwa hwekutengesa fodya tichicherechedza kukosha kwayo muforeign currency,” they said.
This year’s tobacco marketing will again result in farmers selling their crop under strict Covid-19 regulations.
The decentralisation of auction floors to various places like Karoi, Mvurwi, Rusape, Marondera and others is also expected to ease transport and other related costs to the farmer.
“Indeed what more can we expect apart from just anticipating increased deliveries due to good rains that have ushered a new wave of confidence.
“It is all about enhancing viability to facilitate increased returns while focusing on the need for the famers to get more money,” they said.
While the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has introduced tight measures to stamp out side marketing, the central bank has also adjusted the foreign currency retention thresholds, with farmers getting 60 percent of the proceeds in forex this season.
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