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Zambia and other countries should collaborate with civil society and international organizations to provide better opportunities for tobacco farmers while addressing food security challenges across the continent.
This is according to the African Tobacco Control Alliance Executive Secretary, Leonce Sessou, in a statement in Lusaka on Sunday.
Sessou said the call was accordance with Article 17 of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which emphasizes the promotion of economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers, growers, and sellers.
He called on African governments to learn from successful initiatives and implement similar strategies to support their own farmers.
He said the prevalence of tobacco farming has been on the rise in Africa since 2005, with tobacco companies gaining a stronger presence on the continent.
“The adverse impacts of tobacco cultivation on farmers, the economy, and the environment cannot be overlooked,” Sessou said.
He said Tobacco companies often provide loans to farmers who lack the necessary resources, creating a cycle of debt that perpetuates poverty among farmers”.
“The success of the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative in Kenya and Zambia highlights the potential of collaborative efforts at the global, regional, and national levels in providing alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers, as outlined in the WHO FCTC,” Sessou said.
He said given Africa’s pressing food security challenges, governments are encouraged to draw inspiration from these initiatives and take proactive steps.
Sessou furthers adds that it is imperative for African governments to prioritize sustainable agriculture over tobacco cultivation, fostering economic stability, public health, and environmental sustainability.
He said African governments, in collaboration with civil society organizations and international bodies, play a crucial role in supporting farmers during the transition away from tobacco farming.
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