Marondera (New Ziana) -Farmers contracted to Voedsel, a wholly indigenous company, have so far delivered at least 2.5 million kilogrammes of tobacco to its auction floors, with 944 926 kilogrammes being sold in Marondera and the rest in Mvuri and Karoi, an official has said.

Established in 2008, Voedsel is involved in tobacco contract growing, merchanting, manufacturing and exporting.

It has auction floors in Marondera, Mvurwi and Karoi.

Company operations director Tennyson Hwandi said they were only purchasing the golden leaf from farmers contracted to them.

At least 1 135 138 kg were sold at the Karoi auction floor while 515 751 kg went under the hammer at the Mvurwi depot.

“We have been making good progress and in recent days, farmers contracted to us have been frequenting our floors to sell their tobacco. Our farmers are receiving half of their payments through the United States dollar while the rest is in RTGS form. We are still receiving deliveries,” Hwandi said.

Most farmers are now producing tobacco under contract farming, an arrangement whereby they are supplied inputs, and in some cases, funds to pay workers.

“As a company, we give those farmers contracted to us technical advice because we always want their crop to be grown according to the prevailing market requirements. We supply them with the
required inputs on time and help to make sure that they produce a good crop,” said Hwandi.

Meanwhile, Hwandi said his company had approached Agribank for additional at its Marondera branch.

He said: “In the best interest of farmers, we approached Agribank with a request for the financial group to reinforce their staff so that the farmers are served conveniently. Their response has
been great and the farmers are being served timeously,” he said.
New Ziana