The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Tobacco contracting firms who engage growers who have failed to destroy tobacco stalks on their farms will now face penalties.
Farmers are required to destroy their stalks by 15 May.
Non-compliance by farmers in removing stalks results in the spread of diseases from one season to the next.
In a statement, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board said failure to adhere to this date can harm the industry.
“Government, through the relevant departments, is recommending some measures to be instituted as a way of enforcing compliance. Recommendations that will be immediately adopted are:
“Tobacco contracting companies to only contract farmers who have destroyed tobacco stalks;
“Companies who do not abide by this directive will be penalised.”
