Tobacco farmers in Eastern Province want a research center

Farmers in the tobacco sector in Eastern Province have called on the Ministry of Agriculture to set up a research center specifically for tobacco.
Former EFAZ, Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia Vice Chairperson, Chishala Chilufya says that the research center should research on the market before every farming season starts.
Speaking during a live radio programme on Breeze FM, Mr. Chilufya observed that lack of market research is what is causing tobacco farmers to be stranded with their produce.
He says that research is what has assisted the tobacco industry in countries like Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to flourish as farmers are given information on what type of tobacco to grow and the quantity.
And Mr. Chilufya has called for a stakeholders meeting to address the dwindling tobacco sector in Eastern Province, which has seen buying companies pulling out.
He says that there is urgent need to establish reasons why these companies are pulling out and what should be done to attract new companies.
Mr. Chilufya says that the meeting should involve the provincial administration, officers from Ministry of Agriculture, EFAZ and farmers.