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Last year, the marketing season started in February and ended in July.
As of December 2012, more than 60 000 farmers had registered to grow tobacco, 20 000 of whom were first time growers.
The Tobacco and Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) has licensed three floors for the forthcoming marketing season, down from four last year.
These are BTF, Tobacco Sales Floor and Premier Tobacco Auction Floors.
Boka investments director Ms Rudo Boka told New Ziana the auction house was prepared for the upcoming season.
“As Boka we are very prepared especially in light of the announcement by the TIMB that the other floor will not be operating this year,” she said.
“As auction floors we are in a tricky situation because the number of farmers has increased but there are only three of us.
“So as Boka we are trying to make sure that we will be able to cope with the increasing numbers”.
Ms Boka urged farmers, especially new tobacco growers, to follow regulations prescribed by the TIMB to avoid unnecessary chaos at the auction floors.
Last year, Zimbabwe produced about 144, 5 million kg of tobacco against a projection of 130 million kg.
This year’s output is targeted at 170 million kg. — New Ziana
Online Reporter