CHIPINGE
–
Macadamia nuts growers and merchants can find themselves behind bars if they
fail to register with Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) as demanded by new
regulations.
–
Macadamia nuts growers and merchants can find themselves behind bars if they
fail to register with Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) as demanded by new
regulations.
AMA regularises the
production, marketing and processing of agricultural products in Zimbabwe.
production, marketing and processing of agricultural products in Zimbabwe.
Statutory Instrument
138 of 2019 (Agricultural Marketing Authority, Macadamia Nuts Regulations) forces
growers, buyers and processors of macadamia nuts to register with the authority,
failure of which can attract penalties.
138 of 2019 (Agricultural Marketing Authority, Macadamia Nuts Regulations) forces
growers, buyers and processors of macadamia nuts to register with the authority,
failure of which can attract penalties.
Rose Ruzario, a
Manicaland inspector who manned an AMA stand at the Chipinge Agricultural Show
from 05 – 08 September, told TellZim News the regulations were meant to ensure
that both the farmer and the country derived maximum benefits from the produce.
Manicaland inspector who manned an AMA stand at the Chipinge Agricultural Show
from 05 – 08 September, told TellZim News the regulations were meant to ensure
that both the farmer and the country derived maximum benefits from the produce.
“Every person who
intends to grow, sell, buy or process macadamia nuts has to be regulated to do
so. Farmers must get grower numbers and merchants must be given licenses to
trade in macadamia nuts. A fee is charged for the process,” said Ruzario.
intends to grow, sell, buy or process macadamia nuts has to be regulated to do
so. Farmers must get grower numbers and merchants must be given licenses to
trade in macadamia nuts. A fee is charged for the process,” said Ruzario.
She said the new
regulations were meant to protect the industry which has the potential of
making a more substantial contribution to the economy.
regulations were meant to protect the industry which has the potential of
making a more substantial contribution to the economy.
“There were a lot of
irregularities before the introduction of the regulations but the industry is
now guided by some controls.
irregularities before the introduction of the regulations but the industry is
now guided by some controls.
“Farmers are expected
to declare the size of their macadamia orchards which helps to estimate
production from each grower. The authority can keep a record of what has been
sold and exported,” she said.
to declare the size of their macadamia orchards which helps to estimate
production from each grower. The authority can keep a record of what has been
sold and exported,” she said.
She said any breach of
the regulation would attract penalties against the offender.
the regulation would attract penalties against the offender.
“Inspectors are allowed
by law to seize unregistered macadamia nuts and offenders can be taken to the
court on criminal charges and they would be liable to a fine not exceeding
level 4 or imprisonment not exceeding three months or both,” she said.
by law to seize unregistered macadamia nuts and offenders can be taken to the
court on criminal charges and they would be liable to a fine not exceeding
level 4 or imprisonment not exceeding three months or both,” she said.
