Government is considering giving back Tombwe Processing Limited (TPL) the trading license which was suspended by the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) last month, affecting tobacco farmers.
The Tobacco Board of Zambia revoked the purchasing license for Tombwe Processing Limited following the company’s failure to adhere to the rules that govern tobacco buying.
Speaking after conducting a tour of the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) and Tombwe Processing Limited tobacco buying floors in Lusaka today, Agriculture Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, said he has heard the complaints of the tobacco farmers and will call for an urgent meeting with all key players and resolve the problem.
Mr. Simuusa has expressed shock that the farmers, who are from different parts of the country, have been at Tombwe for over three months and have not been able to sell their produce following the suspension of the license for Tombwe by TBZ.
[pullquote]The farmers have accused the association of favoring whites in the buying of tobacco and sidelining local farmers[/pullquote]
He said the farmers are the first priority because without them, there could be no buyers and that it is imperative that farmers are considered first in everything.
Mr Simuusa has since assured the farmers that the decision to give Tombwe Processing Limited its license back will be dealt with the urgency it deserves.
Speaking during the same tour,Tombwe Processing Limited Managing Director, Aldert Van Der Vinne, said he has written a letter of appeal to the Minister to help resolve the matter urgently because over three thousand tobacco farmers have not been able to sell their tobacco to the affiliated company.
Mr. Vinne said the farmers by now should have started preparing for the next farming season but cannot do so because their contractor, Tombwe, has no trading license to supply them with the necessities such as fertilizer.
He complained that TBZ has not given the company genuine reasons as to why the license was suspended.
Speaking earlier, Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) Board Chairperson Reuben Mahombe, explained that the board decided to suspend the license for Tombwe Processing for failure to adhere to the laid regulations in the tobacco industry.
Meanwhile the farmers who have been camped at Tobacco Association of Zambia for three months to sell their tobacco took advantage of the presence of the Minister to air out their grievances on how bad they are being treated by the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ).
The farmers have accused the association of favoring whites in the buying of tobacco and sidelining local farmers.
They further accused the association of corruption stating that the association buys tobacco from people who offer them bribes.
[QFM]
where are we going
The licence was revoked because the owners are Tongas and they are presumed to support UPND.
Am shocked that the entire minister an Engineer by profession carries that fake gold chain around his neck.ubufontini kwati ni congole.
where are we heading to
This is just show how less informed many people are in Zambia. There is nothing for those farmers in the Tobacco industry. They are just reaped off year in year out. Ask Lameck Mangani, he knows the game and he was one of the beneficiaries. Tobacco farmers are screwed by those muzungus at Aliance One International who buy the tobacco at the lowest price. Farmers cannot even afford to buy the fertilizer the following farming season and instead these same companies give them screwed loans. It is a silly chain with only one beneficiary
Perfect description of what happens, What a shame!
Simuusa spends most of his ministerial time being shocked. I hope he has a good doctor because he will soon collapse.
Kal walasa apopenepo
Farmers by now you should have known that everything has gone the dochi kubeba way meaning corruption is the order of the day
Corruption everywhere, even in tobacco sales, sure!
Encourage these farmers to grow food instead of tobacco. If the market is screws you up, you can just eat you produce. What do you do with your tobacco when the market undercuts you; smoke it you?! Good luck.
The worldwide campaign against smoking is gaining momentum. Move on guys.
Kavundula, tobaccco is used for many other important things, not only smoking! Just do a ka small research boss.
Typical of Lazy attitude towards development. Even when one grows food items, as you have put it, does one have the capacity to eat a 1000 bags of maize or cabbages. This is so typical of you PF supporters with katemba mindset. Little can be achieved more so that you are in the leadership.