Zimbabwe: TIMB to Increase Late Registration Fine

Source from:  The Herald  01/20/2014

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has advised farmers to register before the opening of the tobacco selling season to avoid paying a fine of US$250 for late registration.Previously late comers were charged US$50.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri said the move was taken to discourage side marketing which was rampant in the industry.

"Auction floors are opening on February 19 and every farmer should be registered by then. Some farmers register late so that they avoid paying back loans. These farmers usually register using someone's name or they bring false documents," he said.

Dr Matibiri said farmers still had the time to register and they could do the same process through the stop order system.

"We have also decentralised the registration offices so that farmers can register nearer to their farms," he said.

To grow and sell tobacco, a farmer should be registered with the TIMB. TIMB charges US$10 for a farmer to register as a grower before the deadline of October 31. Once the deadline passes, farmers pay the US$10 and a fine of US$40.

Dr Matibiri said TIMB had received three applications from the three auction floors who were operating last season. So far more than 85 000 farmers have registered as tobacco growers. The number continues to increase each season due to the favourable prices being offered by buyers. Enditem