Some tobacco farmers duped over market in Lusaka

Some farmers in Eastern Province, who took their tobacco to Lusaka for sale, are reported to be stuck with their produce.
Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia EFAZ Provincial Chairperson, Franklin Mwale has confirmed, stating that the company, which was supposed to buy the produce as refused.
Mr. Mwale has heaped the blame on some named companies that have encouraged the farmers in Zemba area of Chadiza district to take their produce to Lusaka, when they do not have a reliable market.
He has advised farmers to ensure that companies working on any project in the tobacco industry are registered with the Ministry of Agriculture to avoid such problems.
And Mr. Mwale says that EFAZ will no longer provide 100 per cent loans to its members because of high defaulting rate.
He says that only those farmers, who will meet the requirement of membership fee and the 50 per cent down payment will benefit from the revolving fund from TBZ, Tobacco Board of Zambia.
Meanwhile Mr. Mwale has advised independent farmers to consult widely before starting to grow tobacco for the next farming season.
He says that as preparations for 2015/2016 season start, EFAZ wants to ensure that the situation of independent farmers getting stuck with produce does not repeat itself.