The Tobacco Board of Zambia TBZ says it will not buy tobacco from independent tobacco growers in Eastern Province.
Chief Executive Officer, Samson Muyembe says that TBZ will instead facilitate market for the 50,000 kilogrammes of tobacco, which is stuck due to lack of market.
Speaking to Breeze News this morning, Mr. Muyembe says that two companies, which include JTI have indicated willingness to buy the cash crop.
He says that independent growers should not panic because discussions to have the two companies buy the crop have reached an advance stage.
And Mr. Muyembe says that JTI has been issued with a license to buy tobacco from within the company’s premises instead of established floors.
Some farmers have complained that the move to allow JTI buy from their sheds as compromised their bargaining power.