The Tobacco Board of Zambia  (TBZ) has intervened in the fertiliser distribution issue where a named Tobacco company is said to have failed to deliver inputs to over 2400 tobacco farmers in Eastern province.

The company was engaged to deliver fertilizer and chemicals after it entered into agreements with farmers but failed to do so, a situation that caused panic among tobacco farmers. 

TBZ Chairperson Phil Daka, however, says his institution has brought another partner on board to supply inputs to the affected farmers in Eastern and four other provinces, starting next week. 

He was speaking in Chipangali district during a meeting with the affected farmers.

Mr Daka explained that the said the company was summoned to exculpate itself and to look at remedial measures.

“We critically analysed this situation through a wide consultation of legal minds. So we gave them a period to exculpate themselves, but what was presented didn’t prove to salvage the situation within the stipulated time. Hence, our decision to collaborate in finding another partner to cater for the farmers,” he explained. 

He said the Board worried that if not properly handled, the situation would have negatively impacted their aspirations to reach desired outputs for the 2025 marketing season. 

“As enshrined in the tobacco act no 10 of 2022, we had to come in to salvage the situation by looking at the plight of the affected growers here in Eastern province Central, Southern and Western.

He emphasised that both growers and sponsors are key to the sector and as a regulatory body, TBZ will ensure sustainable practice in the sector without exploitation by any of the players. 

Mr Daka assured that the distribution process will commence on Monday. 

The Board further committed to employing more strict measures to ensure a similar occurrence does not repeat itself in the future. 

This was echoed by Lyson Nyirenda, a member of the board. 

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused. However, we commit to ensuring a situation like this does not happen again,” he said. 

Meanwhile, farmers have expressed gratitude to the TBZ for its swift action. 

Christopher Banda, a farmer of Lumezi district, said the positive and timely intervention is an indication that the government prioritises the interests of its people and farmers in particular.