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Brenda Ziga Herald Reporter
More than 54 000 farmers have so far registered to grow tobacco for the 2016-17 season.

Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics as at August 17 show an increase of farmers who have registered to grow tobacco next season.

Last year, 38 751 farmers registered to grow the crop during the same period.

“Last season, 81 794 tobacco farmers registered to grow tobacco for the whole season. Over two thirds of farmers have so far registered for the 2016/17 season.

“This is a positive development as farmers are improving on their agribusiness skills and agronomic practices,” TIMB public relations manager Mr Isheunesu Moyo said.

Mr Moyo said normal registration will close on October 31 after having started on January 1.

“From November 1 to December 31, farmers will be charged $10 registration and $10 penalty fee for late registration.

“From January 1 until the opening of auction floors, farmers will be charged $10 registration fee and $40 penalty fee for late registration. After the opening of auction floors, farmers pay $10 registration fee and $90 penalty fee for late registration,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the penalty fee is meant to encourage farmers to register early.

“This is meant to encourage farmers to register early. If they register early TIMB will also have accurate estimates,” he said.

According to the TIMB statistics as at day August 16, 25 647 communal farmers have registered, while 20 519 are A1 farmers, 3 835 A2 farmers and 3 665 are small scale farmers.

According to TIMB, farmers have so far sold 196,5 kilogrammes of tobacco worth $578,5 million since the opening of the auction floors in March.