Govt to lobby for good tobacco prices

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza has said government will scale up efforts to ensure that tobacco farmers earn more money from the leaf than is currently the case.

The minister, who briefly visited Limbe Auction Floors on Wednesday to appreciate buyers and growers concerns, noted the difference in buying prices among buyers.

He said some buyers are paying better prices than others, a situation he said frustrates farmers.

Said Chiyembekeza: “I expected the prices to be much higher now because most of the tobacco that is coming in is probably the best quality, but unfortunately the prices do not seem to be picking up that much.”

He said the ministry in conjunction with Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) will discuss with the buyers to map the way forward on pricing to ensure that farmers get a better deal.

Chiyembekeza was, however, quick to mention that on average, the sales are better this year than the same period last year.

TCC statistics show that tobacco volumes and revenue have increased compared to the same period last year, registering a three percent and 11 percent jump respectively.

TCC head of administration and human resources Medson Kamala, in an interview, said current statistics show a significant improvement in the revenue generated from the sales compared to the same period last year.

In the six weeks of sales, according to TCC figures, the country has generated a t$49.8 million (about K23 billion) from 32 million kilogrammes (kg) of tobacco sold compared to $43.8 million (about K20 billion) out of 31 million kg sold during the same period last year.