Malawi tobacco growers urged to diversify

Malawi Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza has urged tobacco farmers in the country to diversify in the face  of bad weather conditions that might affect yields.

The minister said this on Sunday after visiting several tobacco fields and estates in Chiradzulu, Zomba and Thyolo, where farmers complained that the rainfall pattern being experienced in the country might have an effect on output.

Chiyembekeza said though the incessant rains the country experienced in the past days seem to have an impact on the tobacco crop, the crops visited look impressive.

“It is quite difficult to predict of a good yield this year but from the information farmers have given as well as looking at the crop, a better yield is possible this year, the farmers just need to take extra care of the crop,” said Chiyembekeza.

Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) chief executive officer Bruce Munthali agreed with the minister, saying the crop stand they visited is encouraging.

He said: “What is important now is that farmers should have access to fertiliser and weed control to make sure quality of yields is maintained.”

Munthali said the rains have delayed the harvesting of tobacco, but the yield will be ready for the market end March or early April as sending it to the market now might be releasing a crop that is still wet because of the rains.

Managing director of Mpalanganga Estate at Thondwe in Zomba Stephen Christle said as long as the heavy rains do not continue, it is going to be a normal yield for tobacco this year.

He said if the heavy rains continue, both quality and quantity of the yield will be affected.

“This tobacco season has been hard. Lack of rains at the beginning made it hard and the highest rainfall pattern observed at the beginning of January made it worst. However, things will be alright if we get to the dry season as soon as possible,” he said.