By Own Correspondent-  Deputy minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Douglas Karoro has revealed that all is set for the 2019 tobacco marketing season.

Karoro said TIMB had confirmed that the buyers were ready in terms of cash and floor space and the organisation was only waiting for the announcement of the tobacco auctioning date.

He said this while responding to a question from Zanu Pf’s Wedza North legislator, David Musabayana on progress made towards the commencement of tobacco auctioning.

Said Karoro:

“We visited TIMB offices who are the ones who control the tobacco auctioning to check on the preparedness. They informed us that all is in place. They were waiting for the date of the auctioning to come, including cash to be used to buy the tobacco. According to assessments, the buyers are ready in terms of cash and floor space.

When I say the preparations are at an advanced stage, I am telling the truth.  The issue of vendors who disturb the tobacco farmers when they come to sell their tobacco; we have looked at that and prepared for them.  We even looked at the issue of health and there was a comprehensive inspection that was done on the facilities so that they are able to hold many people who would be coming to sell their tobacco.”