THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board is still considering decentralisation of auction floors. Tobacco growers have continuously been calling on the board to decentralise auction floors to reduce transport costs and time spent travelling to and from Harare to sell the golden leaf. TIMB chairperson Mrs Monica Chinamasa said the board was still considering the Mashonaland Tobacco Company's application to buy the crop from its contract growers in their areas.

Last year, MTC decentralised and bought tobacco in Karoi and Rusape.

The move was, however, contested by other floor operators who felt MTC was also buying uncontracted crop thereby reducing business at the auction floors in Harare.

Mrs Chinamasa said there was no proof conventional farmers were selling to MTC.

Decentralisation helps farmers as they sell the crop nearer and they do not have to worry about transport costs, she said.