THE Parliament of Zimbabwe has summoned Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube and Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri to appear before its Committee to explain why farmers were being paid RTGS currency despite geovernment having promised that tobacco farmers would keep 50 percent foreign currency from their produce.

This comes after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe reneged on promises this year to pay growers 50% in foreign currency and the remaining 50% in RTGS dollars.

The announcement was made when the market opened. The farmers were urged to write letters requesting that 50% be converted into foreign currency.

Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Wedza North legislator David Musabayana requested that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri come to parliament to explain why Government is paying tobacco farmers in RTGS dollars only.

Said Musabayana: “I am requesting the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Honourable Professor Ncube to come and give a Ministerial Statement with regards to why he went back on his word on the promises that he had made to the farmers.

“In the same, vein I am also requesting the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Development to come with a Ministerial Statement in terms of how the prices of tobacco have gone down, whether he has carried out an investigation or if he is going to put any measures in place to ensure that farmers will not lose the money to be earned from their tobacco.”

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