By JULIUS PHIRI –
EASTERN Province is this year projected to record a drop in tobacco production of more than two million kilogrammes.
And independent tobacco farmers would this marketing season be allowed to sell their maize at Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) run floors, which opened yesterday.
TBZ regional inspector, Harold Siandula said regional production had reduced due to poor marketing, poor sponsorship and unsuitable weather conditions.
Mr Siandula said in an interview in Chipata yesterday that the region was expected to produce around six million kilogrammes compared to 8.8 million kilogrammes recorded in the last farming season.
“There a variation of factors that has contributed to this drop in production among them poor weather conditions, poor marketing and lack of sponsorship,” he said.
He said independent growers would only be allowed to sale their tobacco slightly late after the opening of the markets, but assured that all their produce would be purchased.
He said buying prices for this marketing season would favour farmers because of the high exchange rate of the United States dollar against the Kwacha.
