dyton mupawaenda
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
AS the tobacco marketing season opens tomorrow, the auction floors will be a hive of activity.
The Government’s commitment to making sure contractors and buyers pay within 48 hours has sparked hope among growers, leading vendors, car cleaners, cooks, and clothing sellers to set up shop in anticipation of a bustling season.
Farmers are particularly concerned about price disparities between auction and contract floors although the contract prices are linked to the prices set by the auction floors, which act more as a price discovery mechanism since they sell only around 5 percent of the crop.
Contract growers can now often deliver near their farms, after contractors opened new delivery points across the smaller towns of the tobacco belt.
Ms Barbra Mashingaidze from Banket expressed the collective hope.
“We appeal to the authorities to ensure that tobacco sold at the auction floors gets similar prices to that at the contract floors. Farmers incur similar costs, and there is no reason for different prices.”
Mr Tafara Muchenje, also from Banket, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of timely payments.
“We have credit facilities that we want to pay, so it will be good if we get money on time to cover our arrears,” he said.
This financial security is crucial for farmers looking to invest in other projects.
The excitement at the auction floors in Harare is palpable as farmers begin delivering their tobacco to two licensed auction sites ahead of the grand opening.
The official ceremony will take place at the Tobacco Sales Floor, with Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga expected to officiate.
Farmers are eager for better prices this season, hopeful that improved market conditions will yield favourable returns. With 70 percent of their payment coming in foreign currency, and the remaining 30 percent in local currency, their financial prospects look brighter.
At Tobacco Sales Floor, over 50 bales have already been delivered, while PTAF (Premier Tobacco Auction Floor) is set to receive deliveries soon.
Significant renovations at the Premier Tobacco Auction Floor, costing US$350 000, have restored essential amenities after a fire last September.
These improvements are particularly important given recent health concerns, including measures to prevent cholera outbreaks. Shops and agro-dealers are also gearing up for a busy season, ready to support the farmers.
Online Reporter