Tobacco Farmers Forced to Sell Crop at Lower Prices

Tobacco growers in Swabi have criticized the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) for failing to arrange purchases of surplus tobacco, more than a month after the regular buying season concluded, leaving farmers struggling to sell their crops at fair costs.

Key points

• Multinational and national tobacco firms stated purchasing halted on September 15 after firms completed their annual buying quotas unveiled by the PTB.
• Members of the Kashtkar Ittehad Association remarked surplus tobacco was being purchased at Rs.
• PTB Secretary Fakhruddin informed a national daily that the board would shortly commence purchasing surplus tobacco from the growers.
• Growers lack adequate storage facilities and financial resources, forcing them to sell their crops at heavily discounted rates.
• Growers criticized the PTB for failing to develop a purchasing strategy and alleged that its authorities consistently favored tobacco businesses over growers.

Multinational and national tobacco firms stated purchasing halted on September 15 after firms completed their annual buying quotas unveiled by the PTB. They remarked the board and the Federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research were responsible for developing a strategy to ensure businesses purchased surplus tobacco in accordance with the rules. Tobacco Rates Fall After Regular Buying Season.

Members of the Kashtkar Ittehad Association remarked surplus tobacco was being purchased at Rs. 545 per kilogram, compared with more than Rs. 700 per kilogram during the regular buying season. They remarked the lower costs were allowing firms and traders to earn millions of rupees at the expense of farmers.

Iqbal Khan Shewa, the association's patron in chief, informed Dawn that businesses and traders were exploiting tobacco growers since of their fragile financial position.Small cigarette manufacturers and other businesses were taking advantage of the uncertain market by buying tobacco at low rates.

Imran Khan, a tobacco grower from the Maneri Bala region, informed Dawn that business authorities and tobacco traders knew farmers lacked the resources and facilities needed to store their produce, leaving them vulnerable to low offers. PTB Promises to Start Buying Surplus Crop.

Growers criticized the PTB for failing to develop a purchasing strategy and alleged that its authorities consistently favored tobacco businesses over growers. They remarked national and multinational businesses were delaying purchases or showing little interest in buying the surplus crop.

PTB Secretary Fakhruddin informed a national daily that the board would shortly commence purchasing surplus tobacco from the growers. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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For now, tobacco Farmers Forced to Sell Crop at Lower Prices remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.