Tobacco farmers raise concerns with Agriculture

Submitted by TemoL on Wed, 08/09/2010 - 1:52pm

For over 50 years, many farmers in parts of the Sigatoka Valley in Nadroga and around Nadi have dedicated their lives to growing tobacco to earn their living.

Some of the current crop of farmers were born into tobacco farming families and have continued with the tradition of being suppliers of locally produced tobacco leaf from which tobacco brands are been manufactured.

However, the livelihoods of these farmers are becoming increasingly vulnerable in the face of mounting pressure stemming from the latest set of guidelines and recommendations by international health authorities seeking to curb smoking.

Recently local tobacco growers in Sigatoka presented their concerns to the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Mason Smith during a tour of the farming community in the Sigatoka Valley.

Retired School Teacher and representative of Tobacco Growers in the Kavanagasau area Satya Nand said that he had tried farming different types of crops in the Valley, but none “compares to tobacco”.

“Tobacco has an available market that buys direct from the farmers and the company that buys our produce has a commitment to its farmers that is next to none in Fiji”, said Mr Nand.

“The company works with the farmers from land preparation, provision of seedlings, and management of the crop, up to its harvesting to ensure that farmers get a good crop and a reasonable return for their hard work”, he added.

“With the tobacco farmers, the company provides for education assistance and that is a commitment that is difficult to find in any other industry in Fiji.”

Napolioni Secake who is the Rep for the Tobacco Growers of Naqalimare said that tobacco farmers are very passionate about this crop.

“My family has been growing tobacco for over 50 years and I was born and brought up in a tobacco farming family and you could say that tobacco farming is in our blood”.

‘Currently, there is no other crop that rivals tobacco in terms of support and commitment from the company that eventually buys our produce”.

“With usual cash crops, farmers look for their own market, pay for the cost of transporting their produce then sit in the market for two to three days trying to sell their produce”.

Mr Secake said that with tobacco farming all these services and more is provided by the company and farmers did not need to leave their farms from during land preparation to market their produce.

“Of the 400 farmers who supply tobacco leaves to the company, 280 are in the Sigatoka Valley and 120 in Nadi”.

“We understand that tobacco is a controversial product because of the health issues it poses. At the same time, it must be emphasized that it is not an illegal industry”.

“Right now, the company pays out reasonable returns to the farmers for their crop and also creates seasonal jobs for those hired laborers from the local villages and community to grade, cure and pack tobacco leaves before they are sent to the company’s factory.

Mr Secake said that in life people make choices and live with the consequences of their choices.

“If some people chose to smoke, then they should live with the consequences of that choice and farmers who grow tobacco for a living should not be punished for their decision”.

Mr Smith assured the farmers that he would look into their plight, as the welfare of farmers is his priority.

“I am here today to listen to your views and see that you are very passionate about tobacco farming”.

“I will discuss your views and concerns with the appropriate authorities and will get back to you before any decision is made”.

Mr Secake said that tobacco did not only provide them with a source of income, the company was also helpful with their community work in the area.

“They have built community halls and improved drinking water for our communities in addition to assisting us during times of natural disasters”.

“Tobacco farming is a way of life for us and it is going to be very difficult for us to replace that with another crop that has the same level of assistance and commitment from the buyer of the produce”.