Kenya:Farmers Fault Tobacco Firms

Source from:  The Nation (Nairobi) ,July 21, 2004 07/27/2004

Tobacco processing companies are exploiting both the farmers and the environment, it was pointed out yesterday. Tobacco farmers in Western Kenya also advised the firms to consider using coal as an alternative to wood fuel to check environmental degradation. They further petitioned the companies to take up curing of green leaf. The farmers' representatives drawn from Bungoma, Mt Elgon and Teso districts argued that the curing process was both hazardous and expensive. Their resolutions were arrived at during a three-day workshop at Bungoma Farmers Training Centre, Mabanga, organised by the Shalom Centre for Counselling and Development. SCCODE director Tecla Wanjala told the Nation that the resolutions passed by the 30 participants would be presented to agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa when he visits Bungoma today. The farmers complained that the tobacco processing firms pay them poorly. And they demanded a review of their contracts with both British American Tobacco and Mastermind. The two firms which buy tobacco leaves at Malakisi, were accused of lacking a community support policy, and of contributing to the extensive destruction of forest cover. Although officials from the two firms were invited, none showed up, and it was not immediately possible to elicit responses from them. "They have failed to contribute to projects like schools, health centres and rural access roads. Their only role is to take away our product cheaply, and that is why we are now poor," said a participant, Mrs Linet Idee. She charged that even their efforts at afforestation were dubious public relations stunts because tree seedlings for distribution had been diverted. The participants resolved to form a lobby group to articulate their demands both to the Government and the firms. They hope to use the lobby to access credit and diversify into other cash and food crops, and so minimise their reliance on tobacco.