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Farai Rugeje Agriculture Reporter
Auction floors have started preparing for next week’s inspection of the floors by Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board before the opening of the tobacco selling season. Farmers have already started booking while auction floors are set to open on February 19.
James Mutambanesango, managing director of TSF, said they booked few farmers so far but expect the numbers to go up by the end of the first quarter of this year.

“At the moment very few farmers have started sending in their tobacco bales since most of them are still in the process of curing. The figures will rise later in April as farmers will be in need of money for next season’s preparations and school fees for their children,” he said.

Mutambanesango urged farmers to comply with TIMB legislation in terms of registering, bringing estimates and bookings.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union vice president Berean Mukwende said this year they expect high revenue from tobacco since the number of registered growers has increased.

Latest statistics from the TIMB show that the number of growers who had registered to grow the crop by January 10 stood at 85 076.

About 65 256 growers had registered to grow tobacco during the same period last season.