One of Malawi’s leading tobacco buyers, JTI Leaf Malawi on Wednesday, handed over motorcycles to winners in the companies’ promotion dubbed ‘Mlimi Wozitsata Ayiphule’ promotion which was launched in April last year.
The promotion, which falls under the company’s flagship grower incentive program called Mlimi Wozitsata was launched as a way of rewarding its growers who year in, year out, deliver contracted volumes of tobacco of exceptional quality.
Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, which was conducted in, Lilongwe, JTI Agronomy Specialist Manager, Ronald Kapalamula said as a company, they were impressed by the response they got from growers.
He said overall, a total of 3,732 growers met all criteria set to enable them to enter the promotion, with the Lilongwe district coming up top with 1,152 entrants leading.
“The aim of the promotion is meant to incentivize our growers to deliver their contracted volumes of tobacco, on time and within the expected quality agreement,” said Kapalamula. “This largely is an appreciation of the good job that our growers are doing in honoring the contract they sign with us.”
During the function, three growers from across the country each received a motorcycle. Apart from this, the company distributed bags of fertilizers and other items as consolation prizes during the period of the promotion.
One of the farmers, Akidu Bimbilima from Mphepo Zone, TA Nchema in Chiradzulu district was all smile after walking away with a motorcycle.
“I didn’t imagine that I will be one of the lucky farmers. I don’t regret joining JTI in 2005, the journey has been good, I have earned a lot through tobacco farming and my life has improved tremendously. This recognition has given me extra energy to do more, ” said Bimbilima.
