Tabora tobacco farmers demand fair market prices

TABORA: TOBACCO farmers in Tabora have complained that buying companies purchased much of last season’s crop below the official indicative price, leaving many growers facing losses amid rising production costs.

The complaints were raised during a one-day Special General Meeting of the Western Tobacco Cooperative Union (WETCU), where farmers from various districts called for stronger regulation of tobacco buyers and greater enforcement of indicative prices.

Mwibiti Primary Cooperative Society representative from Sikonge District, Mr Ismail Ramadhan, said about 80 per cent of last season’s tobacco was purchased at 3,175/- per kilogramme, despite the indicative price being set at 5,160/-.

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“Many companies are exploiting us. The indicative price is 5,160/- per kilogramme, yet buyers come and offer whatever price they want. We ask the government to intervene,” he said.

Farmers from Uyui, Sikonge and Tabora Municipality said low tobacco prices, coupled with the rising cost of farm inputs, had left many growers struggling to repay loans obtained to finance production.

They called for closer government oversight of tobacco buyers and measures to ensure that farmers receive prices that reflect production costs and the official indicative price.

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Commissioner, Tabora District Commissioner Ms Pendo Wella assured farmers that their concerns would be forwarded to the relevant authorities before the start of the new farming season.

She also proposed the formation of a joint team comprising WETCU and government representatives to follow up the complaints with the Prime Minister’s Office– Regional Administration and Local Government.