Malawi: Farmers Lament Poor Tobacco Prices At Limbe Auction Floors

Source from:  Malawi24 05/15/2015

Farmers selling their tobacco in Blantyre at Limbe Auction floors have lamented poor prices in their sales and have expressed ignorant by government to engage buyers to consider offering good price.

Malawi's tobacco growers believe Ministry Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza is behind the poor prices since he has failed to facilitate for the fair price.

Farmers said Chiyembekeza fears tobacco buyers and has failed to engage them.

"As farmer's we are not benefiting anything. I think this government has failed. Should we conclude that they are behind the poor price and some money goes in their pockets," lamented Hopeson Nankhwenya, from Zomba.

" During the Joyce Banda administration tobacco prices used to be good. But with this government price have drastically gone down. The shocking thing is tobacco is bought for not more than $1, 20 cents. Government is faking prices it announces on the radio," said worried Nankhwenya.

Some farmers have complained that only those under Integrated Production System (IPS) get higher price compared to independent farmers. They have argued that, since the introduction of the IPS, the fate of the growers has been in the hands of the buyer. The situation which farmers has described as a barrier to the business.

But in his remarks, Chiyembekeza said there is a mixed feeling among farmers as very few buyers offer good price. He said the price is fair but he expected higher than what is being offered.

" On average the price is good. Of course farmers are still complaining. To my understanding those under IPS get good price. My ministry will try to lobby for the good price for all farmers," Explained the Minister.

Meanwhile, farmers have warned to call for closure of the Auction if their challenges are not addressed by the government. Enditem