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    Tobacco marketing season postponed

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    Harare (New Ziana) – The 2020 tobacco marketing season has been shelved until further notice in view of the threat posed by Covid-19 which has so far claimed three lives in Zimbabwe, a senior government official has said.

    Regulator, the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board had set April 22 as the opening day of the marketing season.

    But the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has forced the industry to come up with alternative marketing ways that did not expose farmers to the disease at auction floors.

    Under normal circumstances, farmers of the golden crop troop into Harare to market their crop which is a huge foreign currency earner for the country.

    Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement deputy Minister, Douglas Karoro said the delay would allow stakeholders time to find ways to protect farmers from Covid-19.

    He was addressing tobacco sector stakeholders at an online mock sale of the crop done to showcase how the crop can be auctioned without farmers being physically present at the floors.

    “I know the people out there want to know the exact date (when the marketing season will start),” he said.

    “This is part of the assessments what we have done and we are going to inform our colleagues and the honourable Minister so that he also prepares a statement for onward transmission to the President. I am sure if we are happy here with these preparations then the Minister and the President will also be happy and they will guide us accordingly of the final date but I think it is very close because we are also eager to go.”

    Meanwhile, in a statement, the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association implored auction floors and contractors to comply with World Health Organisation Covid-19 preventative regulations at selling points.

    “Decentralised selling will be encouraged this season and seasons ahead. Contractors are also urged to expand their capacities of floors outside Harare,” it said.

    “Online/virtual sales and use of growers’ representatives to sell farmers tobacco on their behalf will be extensively promoted.”

    The ZTA said a meeting will be held between grower representatives and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe this week to discuss payment modalities.

    “As ZTA we have had direct contact with the RBZ governor on the issue of the fixed exchange rate, with feedback expected this week. Contractors, auction floors and growers are urged to continue preparing for the marketing season, whilst waiting for the conclusion of government consultations,” it said.
    New Ziana

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