Some tobacco companies are reported to be recovering their loans given to contracted farmers through independent tobacco growers.
Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia EFAZ Chairperson, Franklin Mwale says that independent tobacco farmers have been taken advantage of, due to lack of market for their produce.
Mr. Mwale says that the companies have told independent tobacco farmers that if they want their produce to be bought, they should sell through contracted farmers, who have failed to pay back loans.
He says that the independent farmers are being forced to sell their produce and pay the loans on behalf of contracted farmers to avoid completely losing out.
And Mr. Mwale says that there is very little that EFAZ can do about the matter since some independent farmers were willing to engage in the unfair trade.