Commissioner Mardan Division Syed Muhammad Ali Shah has directed the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) and relevant authorities to ensure the purchase of six million kilograms of tobacco held by farmers at prescribed rates and take immediate steps to address the problems faced by tobacco growers.
He also ordered action to ensure that 34 tobacco dealers who had signed procurement agreements but were not purchasing the crop fulfil their commitments. He called for the early clearance of outstanding payments to farmers and measures to maintain a balance between market supply and demand.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the Commissioner to discuss issues facing tobacco growers. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioners of Mardan and Swabi, representatives of the farming community, PTB officials, tobacco companies and the Agriculture Department.
During the meeting, PTB officials informed the Commissioner that only 86 companies had purchased tobacco during the current year, while 34 companies had made no purchases, creating difficulties for farmers in selling their produce.
Syed Muhammad Ali Shah said Mardan Division was a fertile region for tobacco cultivation, with thousands of farmers depending on the crop for their livelihoods. He stressed that all relevant institutions must work together to protect farmers’ economic interests, ensure fair compensation for their efforts and resolve their concerns.
The Commissioner directed officials to give priority to purchasing tobacco from farmers who had formal agreements with companies, followed by those without agreements. He also called for discouraging procurement through middlemen and ensuring direct purchases from growers so they could receive fair prices.
He further instructed the authorities to finalise procurement agreements with farmers on time to prevent delays and complications when crops were ready for harvesting.
Emphasising transparency in procurement, timely payments and enforcement of companies’ contractual obligations, the Commissioner said these measures were essential to restoring farmers’ confidence and strengthening the tobacco industry on a sustainable basis.
He also called for effective measures to prevent and discourage illegal tobacco cultivation, stressing the importance of maintaining a balance between supply and demand to avoid future difficulties for farmers in selling their produce.
The Commissioner directed that representatives of the farming community be included in the vigilance committee established to prevent illegal cultivation, ensuring consultation and cooperation among all relevant stakeholders.
Reiterating the need to protect farmers’ rights, Syed Muhammad Ali Shah said timely procurement and clearance of outstanding payments were fundamental responsibilities of the concerned institutions. He directed all relevant officials to resolve growers’ issues on a priority basis through effective coordination and a comprehensive strategy.