The National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) has asked government to consider removing Withholding Tax on smallholder tobacco farmers to correspond with the increased monthly K100, 000 tax threshold.

NASFAM Chief Executive Officer Dr Betty Chinyamunyamu made the appeal in Lilongwe during a meeting with the Parliamentary Cluster on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Speaking to YFM, Dr Chinyamunyamu said Smallholder farmers should also enjoy same benefits as salaried employees.

Chinyamunyamu also proposed for the introduction of crop insurance to support the enrollment of the Affordable Input Programme in an event of natural calamities.

On his part, Action Aid Executive Director Assan Golowa who was also in attendance at the meeting dared the lawmakers to make use of the discussions to the benefit of the country`s citizenry.

Meanwhile, the Cluster`s Co-Chairperson Werani Chilenga said what the two institutions have presented to their cluster is factual and that they we will work on the suggestions.