Representatives of tobacco manufacturing companies have urged the growers to cultivate only recommended varieties, offered to make agreement with companies on condition to avoid unacceptable crops. They were speaking at training workshop organised by Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) on Friday.
A large number of tobacco growers, representatives of the national and multinational companies and entrepreneurs were attended the workshop, which was only objective to create awareness among growers regarding cultivation of good variety, said the speakers.
The speakers stressed upon the growers to equip with modern technology and techniques for harvesting the tobacco crop. It was essential for growers to avoid from cultivating the un-recommended kinds of tobacco, said PTC deputy director, Sardar Hussain, while addressing on the occasion.
Despite the restriction of cultivation of non-recommended varieties, Hussain said the farmers had cultivated such varieties, which was not only acceptable to companies, but also rejected by buyers as well during last season. He offered the growers to make agreements with the companies as per their genuine needs and demand, he however, said the companies will discord agreement, if the growers were cultivated non-recommended varieties.
The president Kisan Board, tehsil Chota Lahore Ali Sher, while speaking on the occasion also emphasised the growers should cultivate recommended varieties, which could be acceptable to both buyers and companies as well. On the occasion, a senior member of the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), Fazal Elahi explained that the Speight-28, K-399 and some other varieties as the recommended, therefore, he said the growers should cultivate these varieties only, which would have a great market value. The PTB has been working to bring the county tobacco crop at per the international standard because it a prerequisite of the international market where we compete with different countries, including India.
