There are prospects that Malawi will have an increased tobacco production in the forthcoming farming season following the Tobacco Commission’s (TC) record breaking licensing of over 150 million kilogrammes as of September 18, 2023.
In an interview, TC Spokesperson Telephorous Chigwenembe said this is an increase in statistics compared to last year during the same period where 129 Kilograms were registered and licensed.
Chigwenembe attributed the substantial increase in tobacco production to favorable market conditions experienced in the previous marketing season.
“The higher prices offered for tobacco during that period served as a significant incentive for farmers, motivating them to cultivate more tobacco in the current season,” he said
“There is an increase in licensed tobacco volumes in the on-going 2023/2024 registration and licensing. The increased licensed volumes for this year are as a result of enticing prices offered in the last marketing season
“To the farmers, we commend those that have already come forward to get registered or licensed. We encourage those that have not done so to come forward. TC is reminding all farmers that growing tobacco without a license issued by the Commission is an offense under the law,” he said.
The nationwide registration of tobacco growers commenced nearly two weeks ago and is scheduled to conclude on the September 30.
