Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
The decentralisation of tobacco floors has benefited some contracted farmers who no longer worry about transport and accommodation costs when selling their crop.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board licensed Karoi and Mvurwi Mashonaland Tobacco Company floors for farmers to sell their crop nearer to their farms. The floors officially opened for the selling season on Monday in Karoi and Mvurwi.
According to Karoi farmers, decentralisation has reduced congestion at floors in Harare and also made it easier for farmers to sell their crop without hassles.
Karoi farmer Mrs Christine Zulu said she used to spend about $15 to ferry a single bale to auction floors in Harare, but now sells locally.
“We used to travel to Harare. Travelling to Harare was cumbersome as our crop could be affected by rains and the quality of the crop compromised in the process,” she said.
Mr Farai Chinho said by selling in Karoi, he could go back home and attend to other duties unlike in Harare where he could get stuck at the floors once there were challenges.
“We are few farmers here and the process does not take long; even if I am to encounter a problem I can go back home and come the next day than camping at the floors,” he said.
The farmers said they expected better prices this season.
“The prices so far are fair. We are selling the lower leaves and we expect the prices to continue farming,” one farmer said.
Mashonaland Tobacco Company blending manager, Mr Shakespeare Pilime said sales began smoothly and farmers will not be paid less than their counterparts in Harare.
“We have a good start to the season and we hope the farmers will be happy,” he said.
TIMB spokesperson Mr Isheunesu Moyo said the decentralised floors have an advantage as they cater for fewer farmers thus allowing faster service compared to the Harare floors.
“The highest price a bale was sold for is $5,20 per kilogramme,” he said.