Tobacco Key For Development-JTI

Source from:  ZNBC 10/18/2018

Japan Tobacco International -JTI- says tobacco production has been identified as a key crop in national development.

JTI Zambia leaf Corporate affairs and Communications Manager Litiya Matakala says tobacco has value compared to other cash crop such as maize because of the market price.

Mr. Matakala adds that the company has trained 750 small scale growers and provided crop input, financed and provided agriculture extension services a move that will increase tobacco farming in Zambia.

He said the company decided to grow tobacco in Zambia because government is open to business and has created a conducive environment for business.

Mr. Matakala told journalists in Kaoma district that the company has invested over twenty million dollars in Zambia and created over seven thousand jobs.

He disclosed that the company aims to be the largest producer of tobacco by 2030, a move that will boost Zambia’s economy through foreign direct investment and creation of employment.

The company currently produces two types of tobacco burley in Eastern Province and Virginia in Western Province and is the third largest world’s producer of tobacco.  Enditem