The Tobacco Board of Zambia TBZ in Chipata has started buying tobacco from independent growers in Eastern Province.
TBZ Regional Inspector, Herold Siandula has confirmed the development in an interview with Breeze News.
Mr. Siandula says that TBZ is using the Chipata Main Floor to buy the produce adding that it wants to mop all the tobacco from independent growers.
Last week TBZ Chief Executive Officer, Samson Muyembe indicated that the board expected to buy about 480,000 metric tonnes of the crop, which was stuck due to lack of market.
TBZ is also buying tobacco from independent growers in Southern Province who were equally stuck with their produce due to lack of market.