Agriculture Minister says over 28,000 metric tonnes of Tobacco is expected to be produced in the 2018-2019 agriculture season.
Speaking at the 55th Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) Annual General meeting in Lusaka, Michael Katambo said the total production is expected to earn the country over $50 million in foreign currency.
Mr Katambo said government recognizes that the tobacco industry is vital for the realization of the government’s aspiration for an export-oriented agriculture sector as outlined in the seventh national development plan.
He said tobacco is a very important crop that has great potential to contribute to the growth of the economy through employment and job creation.
“For those that may not know tobacco is 7 and half times more profitable than maize and 14 times more profitable than cotton for a hector.
Mr Katambo said government is in a hurry to turn around the agriculture sector through increased production and level of all players that include farmers, traders and Agro processors make a decent profit.
“In the case of tobacco industry, we will only grow the industry when tobacco growers, small and large-scale tobacco merchants or buyers and tobacco processors are happy with the policy environment and are able to make money,” He said.
The Agriculture minister said government is bound to ensure the it provides the tobacco industry with the right business environment that ensures unity among all stakeholders.