Tobacco Farmers Facing Marketing Problem

Bojonegoro, E Java, Aug 23 (ANTARA) - Tobacco growers in Bojonegoro, East Java, are facing problem to dispose of their production as local cigarette factories have not yet ready to increase their stock. Chairman of the local farmers` association Sarif Usman said here Thursday cigarette factories, which have been the buyers of tobacco from local traders have not yet opened their warehouses. "We don`t known when the cigarette factories would open their warehouses for more stock," Sarif said. Even PT Gudang Garam, the country`s largest clove cigarette producer had said it would not buy tobacco in this year`s harvest. He said most tobacco producing districts like Kedungadem, Sugihwaras, Sumberrejo and Kepohbaru already started harvests last month. "The buyers are traders but the traders could not buy more as long as they could not sell it to cigarette factories," he said. The price of tobacco in this area, therefore, has declined despite an improvement in quality, he said. Some farmers said they might have to sell their tobacco to other areas if they had no buyers in this region.