TIMB mulls decentralisation

Mrs Monica Chinamasa said the board was still considering the Mashonaland Tobacco Company’s application to buy the crop from its contract growers in their areas.
Last year, MTC decentralised and bought tobacco in Karoi and Rusape.
The move was, however, contested by other floor operators who felt MTC was also buying uncontracted crop thereby reducing business at the auction floors in Harare.
Mrs Chinamasa said there was no proof conventional farmers were selling to MTC.
Decentralisation helps farmers as they sell the crop nearer and they do not have to worry about transport costs, she said.