Tobacco Project Encourages Malaysian Government to Protect Growers

Source from:  tobaccoreporter.com 08/18/2004

Encouraged by a project in the tobacco leaf drying process, the Malaysian government has promised to protect the more than 13,000 families of tobacco growers who depend on the crop for income. Datuk Anifah Aman, plantation industries and commodities deputy minister, said that despite the government's stand in discouraging Malaysians from smoking, attention had to be given to the tobacco planting projects to ensure a continued source of income for the affected farmers. Anifah said he was impressed by the successful introduction of a hot water tank system in the tobacco leaf drying process. The project, undertaken by the PPB Group, is the first of its kind in the country. The system reduces labor costs and enhances the quality of dried tobacco. Enditem