A tobacco farmer has refuted allegations that tobacco farmers are being exploited due to lower prices, stating that the current price at which tobacco is sold on the market is very fair.
Chilufya asserted that tobacco production stands out as one of the most profitable agribusiness pursuits, citing potential earnings of up to $6000 per hectare.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambia Business Times – ZBT, tobacco farmer Chisala Chilufya said that tobacco production is one of the top leading agribusiness in terms of profit as it cannot be compared to any other crops.
Chilufya explained that “Tobacco has got types, if you are talking about the one which is referred to as Burley it gives the farmer up to $3000 minimum per hectare and when you look at (ECV) it is able to give a farmer up to $6000 per hectare minimum so even if you compare the production cost in terms of fertilizer, labor, and other things nothing can match on that tobacco is the best business someone can venture into,” He alluded.
Chilufya said the major challenge in the country is issues to do with tobacco have been politicized as Zambia lost track during the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland adding that no leader has ever shared the history of tobacco.
Meanwhile, Chilufya said the production for this year was affected due to the droughts which were experienced as it hit the tobacco farmers especially the ones in southern, Central, and Western provinces.
“The parts that did well were Lumezi, Lundazi, Chasefu that’s where production was very good because of the rainfall, regardless of the production not being good the price for tobacco was very good and any farmer who did a good agricultural practice made money,” He stated.
Chilufya however shed light on the predominantly self-sponsored nature of the tobacco industry in Zambia, emphasizing the minimal government involvement in addressing input-related issues.
