Tobacco farmers in Kaoma have called on farmers to be wary of fake organisations purporting to be representing their interest and questioning government’s position on clear cut marketing issues.
According to the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Weekly Brief obtained by Money FM News, the farmers have said they represent no one but themselves and a just masqueraders.
In apparent reference to an organisation calling itself Small Scale Tobacco Association,
Kaoma District Farmers’ Association (KDFA) says tobacco is largely grown in Western, Southern, Central and Eastern Provinces, but it is not aware of such an organisation.
KDFA Chairperson Joseph Mungandi has warned that such groupings have a hidden agenda and should not be allowed to mislead government on national issues.
Mr. Mungandi says it should be made clear that the tobacco marketing issues which government is handling with due diligence need to be addressed with national vision in mind and participation of all stakeholders is critical.
Mr. Mungandi says the ZNFU is an organisation of farmers, for farmers and run by farmers representing farmers of all clusters, that include small, emergent and large scale, but it is clear the Small Scale Tobacco Association is ignorant of the Union’s mandate.