Maravi

Chief Chanje suspends opening of tobacco marketing season

Chief Chanje suspends opening of tobacco marketing season
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Wed 17 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

CHIEF Chanje of the Chewa people in Chipata has suspended the opening of the tobacco marketing season in Mugubudu area. In interview from his palace, chief Chanje said the marketing season could not be opened before his meeting with various stakeholders in the tobacco industry.

"I have ordered the buying companies and all those involved in the tobacco business not to open the market because my meeting with various stakeholders in the tobacco sector has not been done," he said.

Chief Chanje said farmers should be aware about how the marketing season was going to be before opening.

"People should know about prices. They should know as to how much will go to Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia and other issues. I am consulting Tobacco Board of Zambia on this meeting and they will as well be invited," he said.

Chief Chanje said he has instructed his Induna's and headmen to ensure that no one was buying tobacco in the area.

"You know the tobacco market was supposed to be opened here in Mugubudu, Zozwe and Kapara but here I said no, let's have a meeting first. I don't know these others areas," chief Chanje said.

He said he would invite various stakeholders in the tobacco industry to the consultative meeting that would be held soon at his palace.

Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia vice- chairperson Chishala Chilufya said the tobacco market was last Monday opened in many areas apart from chief Chanje's area.

Last week Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia announced that the tobacco market was to be opened on Monday to protect farmers from vendors.

EFAZ chairperson Blessing Banda said early opening of the tobacco market was more like a technical knockout to the vendors who start vending early.

Last year, the tobacco business in Eastern Province faced some difficulties following the decision by the Malawian government to ban Zambian tobacco from entering that country.

The province has no tobacco processing plant and largely depends on Malawi which has a plant in Lilongwe among other districts.

Labels: CHIEF CHANJE, TOBACCO

posted by MrK @ 3:22 PM