A Non-Governmental Organisation raised fears that the opened tobacco auction floors may become the epicentre of the COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.
The government allowed the auction floors to be opened on 29 April this year, a delay in the marketing season that has been attributed to the global pandemic.
A total of 6162.938 tonnes had already been sold as on 8 May 2020, which is day seven of this year’s marketing season according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
At least 230 million kilogrammes of tobacco are expected this year which is below last 2019’s over 252 million kilogrammes.
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) says the risk of tobacco floors actually becoming an epicentre of the virus is high considering the crowds and massive movements of traders, farmers, investors and middlemen.
“The floors also attract huge numbers of informal traders selling wares to tobacco farmers in flea markets,” the organisation says.
“It is critical to ensure crowds are minimised, makeshift water pumps and soap washpoints must be made available while mobile clinics must be set up at these floors.”
“Testing for COVID-19 should be upscaled nationally and at industrial sites including the tobacco floors.”
Agriculture Minister Perence Shiri, however, said that Statutory Instrument 94 of 2020 encourages the decentralised selling of tobacco, a measure against the spread of COVID-19.
“This should be the main thrust of the industry from now and ahead as this reduces crowds in Harare and is also in line with government policy of devolution,” Shiri is quoted in the local press.
“Additionally, deliveries of tobacco to the floors can be re-structured by consolidating loads to minimise the number of farmers and human traffic coming to the markets and at the same time reducing transport costs paid by the farmer.”
“Similarly, with the use of information technology, growers can monitor virtual sales of their tobacco crop in the comfort of their homes without the need of travelling to the selling floors,” he went on.
Fears have been raised that further delay in the sale of tobacco may result in losses with tobacco being perishable.
Tobacco growers fall under agriculture that has been allowed to continue operating during the lockdown with the government stating the sector as an essential service, which provides food.
