Tobacco.org

• Farmers resist drive to stop tobacco growing 

As the harvesting season begins, West Nile farmers have positioned themselves to reap big from a cash crop that has come under severe criticism from political and civil leaders in the district.

Some farmers in Arua and Maracha-Terego districts rejected calls from local leaders to stop growing tobacco because the latter believes the crop is a major cause of poverty, particularly during periods of famine.

The BATU Manager in Arua, Mr Peter Mukisa told Business Power, last week, that the local incomes this season have been boosted by the high quality tobacco farmers are harvesting. Tobacco is the main cash crop in Arua and Maracha-Terego districts. Mr Mukisa said he was not sure of the tonnes the company expects to get since the season has just started but he said; “we want to ensure that farmers get high quality seeds to earn more income”. For instance, a high quality grade of tobacco is bought at Shs4,150 while the lowest grade fetches Shs1,500.

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