Story by Jerold Sasa
TOBACCO farmers in Mashonaland East are happy with the prices their crop is fetching at the contract auction floors in Marondera.
Ticker headline-tobacco farmers happy with prices.
Subticker headline-contractors impressed with quality of crop.
The farmers who spoke to ZBC News at the province’s two biggest auction floors at Voedsel Tobacco International and tobacco sales floor are excited by the prices offered so far which are averaging US$2.85 which they say is impressive adding that the 85 percent forex retention is welcome
“We are happy with the prices offered by our floors which have resulted in us paying off our debt to the contractor,” said a farmer.
“I want to thank our President, Cde Mnangagwa for creating a conducive environment for us to grow our tobacco and sell under a peaceful environment,” added another.
The contractors are also happy with the quality of crop which they say will compete favourably on the international market.
A contractor, Shadreck Chikuku said,“The quality of tobacco from our farmers is quite impressive which shows that our farmers have come of age as the crop can compete at the international stage”
Yet another contractor, Patience Munguni said,
“We are also happy that so far we have not encountered any issues of side marketing which shows that our farmers are now honouring their obligations.”
According to figures released by the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, a total of 1,7million kgs of tobacco valued at US$4,5million had been sold by the 6th of this month with the figures expected to rise significantly following the opening of floors at Voedsel which is the biggest floor in Mashonaland East province.
