Zimbabwe: Late Payments At Floors Rile Tobacco Farmers

Source from:  The Herald 07/14/2009

Harare - Some tobacco farmers who delivered their crops to the auction floors last month have expressed concern over the late payment of proceeds from the sale of the golden leaf. Farmers interviewed in Hurungwe and Chinhoyi last week said they had not been paid for deliveries made in June to the Tobacco Sales Floor. "On average, transfer of funds into the bank takes about four working days but we have gone for nearly a month without getting our money," said a Hurungwe farmer. Another farmer made deliveries to the auction floors worth nearly US$12 000 on June 26 but is yet to receive his payment. The same farmer made another delivery on June 29 and received the money a few days later. Farmers said they had made plans for the next planting season based on the proceeds from the sale of their produce. "I had committed to buying a truck in the hope that I would get my money early," said one farmer. Mr Tonderai Nyamhunga, an accountant at TSL said all payments were being made promptly through RTGS or cheques depending on the method of payment the farmer requested. "We are up to date with our payments. Maybe the problem is with the banks," he said. Enditem