Tobacco farmers pull out leaf from auction in protest against low prices

May 15, 2020 Owen Khamula - Nyasa Times 3 Comments

Tobacco farmers from Dowa and Lilongwe have pulled out their tobacco from auction floors and summoned officials from Limbe Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Commission to protest against low leaf prices.

Buyers captured at the opening of 2020 Tobacco Marketing sales-pic by Lisa Kadango

The average price of tobacco at Chinkhoma auction floors in Kasungu and Kanengo in Lilongwe has been US$1.10 which the farmers say is too little to cover the production cost of the tobacco.

One of the farmers Bazale Mobayana said with the current tobacco prices on the market, farmers will not even be able to pay back loans they took to service the tobacco production.

“These buyers are leaving us in slavery. They are leaving us with huge debt to settle because with these low prices, we cannot be able to repay back the loans we took from commercial banks and other financial lending institutions,” he said.

The meeting took place on Thursday at Chinkhoma Auction Floors.

Officials from Tobacco Commission  and Limbe Leaf Tobacco who were present at the meeting said they would inform relevant authorities on the matter.

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3 replies on “Tobacco farmers pull out leaf from auction in protest against low prices”

  1. Aganizireni ma Farmers osamangokomedwa ndikupereka ma low prices, production process is tough

  2. Lets be realistic and find a new Crop, maybe Chamba, its becoming popular. Za fodyazi there is no future. people are stopping smoking en masse

  3. MODERN DAY SLAVERY AND
    BROAD DAY LIGHT STEALING FROM THE POOR FARMERS.
    DEAL ANAPANGA KALE BRIBE FROM AZUNGU

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