Tobacco Pricies Impress TAMA

Source from:  nyasatimes.com 17 October, 2007 10/19/2007

Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) has commended government for instituting minimum prices of tobacco which has encouraged 30% of farmers to show interest in the farming system, a government news agency has reported. TAMA chief Executive Felix Nkumba revealed that his organization is impressed with the increased tobacco prices saying the declaration has encouraged more than 30% of farmers who dropped out the previous years to venture into tobacco farming. "Let me give a vote of thanks to government for instituting minimum prices of tobacco which has really assisted farmers to get empowered in the farming system compared to last year. "The percentage increase of tobacco prices in our Auction Floors this year has encouraged some farmers to join the tobacco farming which is great, as we are all aware that tobacco is one of the major sources of economy in the country," Nkumba said told Mana. Nkumba, said farmers and buyers will be sensitized on costs of production for tobacco and that knowledge would assist them in their negotiation for prices and management of farm operations. Government introduced attendant penalties to the buyers that were not complying with the rules of government on prices which has assisted farmers to have good prices. Enditem