By ZBC Reporter
STAKEHOLDERS have called for more representation on the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board to accelerate the transformation of the industry.
Tobacco has long been touted as a multi-billion dollar industry but cases of price suppression, side marketing, indebtedness and the demise of the auction selling system are some of the challenges taking away the glitter from the sector.
Some of the key stakeholders believe the incorporation of auctioneers and farmers on the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will be the best solution to these seemingly unending challenges.
“Tobacco is currently funded by foreign money and most of the earnings are taken by foreign contractors to the detriment of the auction system. To ameliorate these problems there is need for at least one board member to be on the TIMB board,” said Mr Sam Garapa, an Auctioneer.
“Farmers are sweating but are not repaid because contractors set the price for their tobacco which is funded by expensive inputs. These are then left penniless,” said Wilson Chikozomba a farmer.
Government devised the Tobacco Industry Transformation Strategy which seeks to ensure the the sector fully benefits farmers and the economy at large.
The post Stakeholders call for increased board representation at TIMB appeared first on ZBC NEWS.