The decentralisation of tobacco auction floors has benefited contracted farmers who no longer worry about transport and accommodation costs when selling their crop.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union President (ZCFU) Wonder Chabikwa yesterday said decentralisation brought a lot of benefits to the farmer.

“Decentralisation is an excellent and suitable idea. Smallholder farmers are the majority of growers and unlike before land reform congestion at floors came up and this was the necessary response,” he said.

Rusape farmer Mrs Christine Zulu said she used to pay $10 per bale to transporters to ferry her crop to Harare.

“We used to travel to Harare. Travelling to Harare was cumbersome as our crop risked being affected by bad weather.

“This in turn affected the quality of the crop,” she said.

Mr Farai Chinho said selling his crop in Rusape gave him time to work on the things.

“We are few farmers here and the process does not take long. If I encounter problems I easily 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 firming,” said another farmer.

Agritrade Leaf Tobacco Managing Director, Mr Cephas Rukweza, said sales began smoothly.

“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 had many advantages.

They cater for a few farmers and service is smooth and faster. — Herald Reporter.