Farmers in the country have asked government to look for other companies to be buying tobacco in Malawi as the current tobacco buyers are not helping them.
President of Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) Alfred Kapichira Banda said government should dump companies which are not buying tobacco at good prices and call on other companies to start buying from the farmers.
“Government should leave the companies which are buying tobacco at a low prices and call on other companies which will be offering higher prices,” said Kapichira Banda.
Kapichira Banda added that government should take action to help farmers so that they make good profits at the end of the day.
He warned authorities against neglecting the issue saying Malawi relies on tobacco earnings and the country’s economy would be affected if buyers continue to buy at low prices.
The demands come at a time when farmers in Malawi continue to produce more tobacco than the amount the buyers need, a situation which lowers prices.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that during the 2015/16 growing season Malawi produced 165 million Kgs of tobacco but buyers bought 120 million Kgs, leaving 45 million Kgs of tobacco without an international market.
The tobacco buyers claimed that demand for the leaf is declining because of high taxes in many countries which have been introduced as part of the worldwide anti-smoking campaign which is being champion by World Health Organisation.
Alimi afodya alowatsa njala MMalawi
Ambiri amene mmadalira usodzi pa nyanja mmalankhula zambiri za fodya, Ifenso tikuti Mugufuli a tenge nyanjayi.
Why do these people keep growing this stupid crop?
Muziona mwakula mwatha kkkkkk
boma silikucitapo kanthu pomwe anthu capital yonse tinalowetsa kufodya n yet sakutigula nde tilimaso bwanji
too much eeeish mabelo angobweza
Zimandiwawa, Mlimi osawuka ma company ogula fodya olemera ndiye nkumati ku malawi kulibe thangata, mulungu adzakulangani.
All buyers pitani eeeve
Keep on farmers may be we can see changes!!
vuto nd utsogolel, kod sakudzwa kut alim akudandaul?? ana akumwerawa zaulim szidzwa.Koma how com de one who did economics can be agriksha Minster?
What the current Gvt interest on tobacco farmers? Nothing so many countries can come and buy our green gold malo mkutsatsa instead of advertising tobacco you are busy with Chakwera and 2019 elections
Sikudzapezekanso ogula fodya pamtego wabwino chifukw maiko onse akuletsa fodya kudzera mu bungwe la W.H.O,
Chifukwa chani tikafuna kukagulitsa fodya ku Zambia or Mozambique mukulanda in borders
Pitala ndi mzake Chaponda monga sadziwa kuti alimi sanagulitse fodya mpaka pano? yet ma company omwewo akuyamba kugawa mbewu ndi feteleza fodya wina sanawagule! shame upon u top officials