By Linda Soko Tembo
The Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has said that it is unaware of how Voedsel, a company promoting and purchasing tobacco from farmers in Luapula, began operating in the province, adding that if the company is engaged in such activities, it is in violation of the law.
TBZ Executive Director Robert Mwale clarified that the board is only conducting feasibility studies in Luapula Province and is not actively promoting tobacco farming. His remarks follow a MakanDay investigation that uncovered ongoing tobacco cultivation in the region.
Mwale, who initially denied the presence of tobacco farming in Luapula, emphasised that the board has not authorised Voedsel, a new entrant in Zambia’s tobacco industry, to operate in Luapula province.
He explained that Voedsel is in its first year of operation in Zambia and is required to meet specific regulatory conditions. Currently, the company holds a buyer’s license and is only authorised to purchase tobacco in Lusaka, Western, and Eastern Provinces.
“There is no sales floor in Luapula. How Voedsel found themselves there, I don’t know. If that is what those people are doing, then they are violating the provisions of the law. As the regulator, we will follow up on this matter, identify those involved in farming, and guide them accordingly,” Mwale said.
He added that, as the regulator, TBZ would ensure that those involved register and comply with legal requirements. He explained that tobacco is a regulated crop, and the law mandates anyone intending to cultivate it for sale to register with the Board. He further noted that the individuals farming for Voedsel in Luapula were not registered with TBZ and, therefore, were not listed in the board’s database.
Mwale told MakanDay that the activities in Luapula involve TBZ conducting feasibility studies across four chiefdoms – two in Mansa district under Chiefs Mabumba and Chisunka, one in Kawambwa district under Chief Munkanta, and one in Samfya district under Chief Kasoma Bangweulu.
He explained that TBZ is working closely with the chiefs in Luapula,who requested that tobacco farming be introduced to the province. “At their request, we first needed to assess the area’s suitability for tobacco cultivation through a feasibility study,” Mwale said.
The demonstration sites, he explained, are each 0.5 hectares, totaling 2 hectares across the four chiefdoms. “Depending on the results of the feasibility study, we will determine whether tobacco farming in Luapula Province is viable,” he added.
“If it proves viable, we will invite sponsors to support farmers interested in tobacco farming. TBZ itself does not sponsor farmers; we are regulators,” Mwale explained. “During the feasibility study, we are assessing the crop’s performance, the suitability of the soil, and the cultural practices of the local communities. Many people in the area are primarily involved in fishing, so there is a need to shift that mindset,” he said.
Mwale stated that TBZ expects the study to be completed next year. “If the results are positive, we will train farmers. Today, we must adopt a scientific approach to tobacco farming, focusing on sustainable practices that do not harm the environment. Environmental issues are critical to the Board.”
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote sustainability, including the production of tree seedlings.
“We are producing 150,000 seedlings in Chasefu under Chief Magody, which will cover about 60 hectares. Next, we plan to expand into Chief Siachitema’s area, followed by Chief Muchinda of Serenje and Senior Chief Kahara in Nkeyema district, among others.”
Mwale stressed that sustainability is a key condition for licencing buyers, including Voedsel.
“We require buyers to grow trees and submit progress reports. This condition also applies to growers. To be registered with TBZ, growers must commit to tree planting. This shows how seriously we take sustainability. We are not a careless industry,” he said.
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