Government to engage Zamleaf over its sudden decision to stop buying tobacco

Government is to engage Zamleaf over the company’s move to stop buying tobacco from farmers in Eastern Province.
Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Maxas Ng’onga has told Breeze News that government would like to know the company’s position on the matter.
Mr. Ng’onga says that this will enable the government to correct the situation in the tobacco industry.
And the Minister says cotton prices are always determined at an international market stating that the industry is being driven by the private sector.
He says that agriculture minister, Given Lubinda will announce the board of directors of the Cotton Board of Zambia in order to spearhead the market.
Mr Ng’onga says that government wants to see a win-win situation between the private sector and cotton farmers.
Meanwhile the minister says farmers should negotiate for better maize buying prices from private buyers while waiting for FRA, the Food Reserve Agency to start buying their crop.