By Staff Writer
Eastern Province Democratic Party Chairperson Danton Ndhlovu says Government should quickly engage Tobacco Buyers offering lower prices to Tobacco farmers.
Mr Ndhlovu said farmers in Eastern Province have complained that the buyers should re-look at the prices being offered which must consider the labour cost, input costs and time invested and reward a farmer according.
He said the UPND Government should treat this matter seriously and urgently.
“If negotiations cannot yield fruits between farmers and Buyers of Tobacco then Government must buy Tobacco from Farmers using Tobacco Board of Zambia like we saw in previous regimes to protect farmers from exploitation. The Buyers can then buy the same Tobacco from TBZ at a later period,” he said.
Mr Ndhlovu has also called on Government’s attention on the poor yield of maize in Eastern Province.
He has called on UPND to include the affected farmers on Relief Support Program to cushion the impact or farmers will become destitute in their own country.
Mr Ndhlovu said Farmers must be protected because their crop is seasonal and they earn a living through the same.
