Preparations for 2015/2016 tobacco farming hit a snag as streams dry up

The early drying up of streams is raising panic among tobacco farmers in Eastern Province.
Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia, EFAZ chairperson, Franklin Mwale, says that most farmers are worried that the drying up of streams will affect tobacco nurseries.
Mr. Mwale says that this is likely to seriously affect the crop production yield for the 2015/2016 farming season.
He says that in an effort to reduce the impact, EFAZ will put up central nurseries where tobacco farmers will be able to access the crop for transplanting.
Mr. Mwale says that the central nurseries will be put in all tobacco growing zones.
Yesterday, some tobacco farmers expressed worry that they will face serious challenges to find water for their nurseries as most streams and dams have already dried up.
They urged EFAZ to consider coming up with nurseries where farmers can easily access seedlings for transplanting.
Preparations for tobacco nurseries usually start in August.