Online Desk |  1 year ago | top

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka says the Tobacco Industry and Markerting Board (TIMB) rebranding exercise, will transform the authority's operations to enhance sustainable production of the golden leaf in the country.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry's deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos, during the rebranding launch in Harare recently, Minister Masuka said T.I.M.B is now designed in line with international standards to reduce child labor and counter any practices that are not environmentally friendly.

The development comes at a time when Government is intensifying efforts to craft and implement policies that promote sustainable production of tobacco country-wide.

Meanwhile, T.I.M.B. chief executive officer Meanwell Gudu says the 2022 Tobacco Marketing Season opens this Wednesday, in an environment characterised by reduced crop which may push prices.

In an interview with Star FM News, Gudu said climate change induced weather patterns and Covid -19 have affected the tobacco sector. 

According to the T.I.M.B., 95 percent of the crop is expected to be sold through Contract floors while Auction floors take the remainder.