Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare-Features Writer
THE auction floors lie quiet, but anticipation hangs heavy in the air as thousands of farmers arrive with months of toil bundled in bales to mark the start of the tobacco marketing season in Zimbabwe.
Just three trucks are lined up, hessian bags stacked meticulously, computers tested and ready to register the first sales.
A dozen early bales sit in neat rows.
For Mr Ashton Munaki, a smallholder farmer from Guruve, Mashonaland Central province, the season has been intense, as late rains in November forced farmers to harvest with haste.
“The leaves are golden and robust, the curing went well and I am praying the buyers see the effort we put in,” Mr Munaki said in an interview, wiping sweat from his brow.
Mr Patrick Matadi, from Lion’s Den in Mashonaland West province, speaks with measured pride.
His 44-hectare irrigated crop is in good condition.
“My crop is healthy, and even though the season tested us, the irrigation kept us in control.
“I expect fair prices because we have worked hard for every leaf,” Mr Matadi said.
At Wednesday’s official opening of the marketing season, the question on every farmer’s mind was: Will the price match the sweat?
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos inspected the auction floors and reassured farmers that the system is ready, streamlined and built for speed and transparency.
“We expect thousands of farmers to be in and out of these floors around the clock,” Deputy Minister Haritatos said, noting that this year’s season promises both quantity and high quality.
The industry regulator, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), has integrated biometric systems to uniquely identify farmers, curb side-marketing and track every bale from field to sale, ensuring the auction floors operate with full accountability.
TIMB head of information and communication technology Mr Edson Nhemachena said over 147 000 growers have been enrolled in the biometric system, a record that exceeds the number of active tobacco farmers, strengthening traceability across Zimbabwe’s tobacco value chain.
“Our system now verifies a grower’s identity before they can book a sale, and over the next season, we will also use it to confirm contracting, debt management and compliance, reducing the risk of malpractice,” Mr Nhemachena said.
Premier Tobacco Auction Floor chairperson Mr Owen Murumbi confirmed that 150 000 hessian bags and trucks were available to ensure smooth transport from rural areas, minimising delays for farmers.
Similarly, Ethical Sales Floor general manager Mr Tyson Ngongoni said their systems are configured to ensure that farmers receive payments in less than an hour.
“This technology reduces congestion, increases transparency and reassures farmers that their effort is recognised and rewarded promptly,” Mr Ngongoni said.
TIMB inspectorate manager Mr Isiah Hokonya said part of their strategy to curb side marketing has been strengthened by crime data analytics, community policing forums and stiffer penalties to deter illegal tobacco trade and protect the integrity of the auction floors.
“Farmers are part of the policing solution; by raising awareness and involving communities, we make side marketing not only risky but unprofitable,” he said.
Deputy Minister Haritatos believes Zimbabwe’s tobacco is of high quality, globally sought-after and less affected by declining international prices, giving farmers confidence that their labour will be rewarded.
“Tobacco is an international commodity and while global prices fluctuate, the top-grade tobacco grown by our farmers maintains demand,” he said.
The Government’s tobacco transformation strategy aims to build a US$7 billion industry by 2030, focusing on value addition, beneficiation and diversification into products like low-nicotine and e-cigarette blends.
“This is about more than raw tobacco.
“It’s about ensuring Zimbabweans benefit from every stage of the value chain, while our farmers see tangible gains for their effort,” Deputy Minister Haritatos added.
It is believed Zimbabwe’s tobacco will remain competitive globally.
However, farmers simply want prices at the auction floor to match their sweat.
