Premier Tobacco Auction floors ready for the season

Premier Tobacco Auction Floors (PTF) is ready for the opening of 2018 tobacco marketing season which starts this Wednesday. The floor was licensed by Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) after the board was satisfied with their level of preparedness, which rubbishes speculations that the company was struggling.

In an interview, PTF managing director Mr Philemon Mangena said all was set for the 2018 marketing season with the company completed all the preparations to carter for the farmers.

'We are ready for the 2018 marketing season and my team is working tirelessly to make sure that we provide the best services to farmers in terms of security, resting places, money , among other things,”he said. Mr Mangena said farmers who will be selling their tobacco at their floors will be in for a treat as the company had already set in place provisions for quick service, entertainment and security.

PTF has adequate ablution facilities, the canteen, and borehole water sources, resting areas, and a clinic in case farmers needs medical attention. It has managed to gain considerable market share through leveraging on a number of innovative products aimed at ensuring that its main clients, the tobacco farmers, are comfortable and always have their payments processed timeously.

It has also introduced training programs to equip farmers with better skills to grade, present and classify tobacco so that they get good prices at the sales floors.

Premier Tobacco Auction Floor is located at a strategic place near other service providers which make the place more convenient to farmers who can freely move from one service provider to another during their stay at the company's premises.