Who is responsible for assessing the zakah on fruits and distributing it to those entitled to it?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: Does the assessor (kharis) who takes the zakah from fruits and crops take it himself, or is it the owner of the crops and fruits who is responsible for distributing the zakah on his wealth?

Answer:
The assessor tells you what is obligatory upon you. The governor of the land or the deputy of the Sultan is the one who sends someone to collect it from you; he sends someone to collect it, or he says, "Give it to so-and-so and so-and-so," providing you with the names of those to whom it is paid. Yes, or the judge of the land. Today, the one who manages this is the governor of the land or the judge. He is the one who organizes the collection of zakah from the farmers and distributes it, or from the owners of dates and distributes it to the people of the land, the poor of the land. Yes.