THE Tanzania Tobacco Board has warned those involved in classifying the crop to follow the laid rules and regulations to avoid complaints from farmers.
Speaking during the Western Zone Tobacco
Growers Cooperative Union Ltd (WetCu Ltd) Annual General Meeting, the
board’s Vice Chairman, Said Nkumba, warned that they will take stern
action against all those violating regulations.
“There are allegations that those
involved in markets during tobacco classification are bribed so they can
favour some people, my board will be very keen on this and will take
stern action against all those involved,” he warned.
He said farmers who are not ready to
give out bribes were main victims of the dishonest classifiers as they
lower grades of their tobacco leaves. Earlier on, WetCu members
complained to the Vice Chairman that they had fallen victim to this act
as their tobacco was graded low when they refused to give bribes.
The CCM Tabora Regional Chairman, Hassan
Wakasuvi, said if the problem was not solved, farmers would be forced
to look for other classification alternatives that do not involve the
board.
Former, Tabora Regional Commissioner
(RC), Ludovick Mwananzila said the government would ensure that farming,
grading and sale of tobacco followed all the laws, rules and
regulations so that all parties can benefit.
He cautioned tobacco farmers against
using children in their farms and directed Community Development
Officers to ensure the directive was implemented.
Tobacco classification falls under the
jurisdiction of the Tobacco Board of Tanzania under the current
legislation and speaking to experts in the sub sector it is common
knowledge that the Country has more than 70 grades.
The grades in turn attract prices
following classification by the Board. Sellers and Buyers have equal
opportunities during classification, including removal of tobacco from
the sales floor, and in case of grade disputes, only the Tanzania
Tobacco Board classifier has a final say.
The average price achieved for the last
market season is 2.41 US dollars according to latest data released by
the Tanzania Tobacco Board, which indicates a general improvement in the
crop quality.
To arrive at good grades and be able to
compete in the global market the sub sector, under the supervision of
the Board has to account for, early planting following early rains,
capacity in modern fuel efficient barns, avoid packing in barns, use of
optimum /timely and specified fertilizer, reap every leaf, early
topping, sucker free timely reaping, cured appropriately and properly
graded and stored tobacco.
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