Farmers in Morobo County of Central Equatoria are insisting in growing tobacco although the crop was banned three years ago.
Morobo County Press Secretary Data Moses Ludoru told CRN via e-mail that on Friday Gulumbi Head Chief John Abbe called on farmers growing tobacco in the payam to stop the activity immediately.He reported that farmers who are growing tobacco in the county are mostly Ugandans.
Farmer Bidali Richard said the tobacco crop is the only source of money for paying the school fees for the children.
Another farmer Akuma Richard complained that the information on the ban on tobacco reached farmers late and they had already planted their crops.
Morobo County Council Speaker James Kenyi said the tobacco plantations are illegal in the county since 2009.
He added that farmers still insisting on growing tobacco will be punished.
Mr Kenyi advised farmers to stop immediately growing tobacco and cultivate food crops to improved quality of life, and environmental and economic prosperity.