AMA cracks down on rogue farm contractors
Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Marketing Authority announced regulations to improve oversight of farm product production and marketing. The agency will fine contractors $1,000 for failing to use a required digital registration system when signing up farmers. Acting chief executive Jonathan Mukuruba said the platform eliminates unauthorized sales and reduces manual intervention in distribution and commerce.
Contractors must sign memoranda of agreement with the authority at the start of each season. They face $200 penalties for distributing supplies without valid farmer contracts specifying acreage and inputs provided. Three contract copies are mandatory by Dec. 31, allocated to the contractor, farmer, and authority.
The measures target contractors who abandon commitments and encourage farmers to sell crops outside official channels. Valid agreements between contractors and the authority carry the same $1,000 penalty when absent. The registration technology tracks farmer participation from input distribution through harvest sales.
