Tobacco Commission (TC) board chairperson the Reverend Timothy Nyasulu says the regulatory authority will ensure that farmers adhere to production quotas this season.
He said this in Lilongwe on Tuesday during the 2026 Tobacco Industry Conference at a time there are concerns that Malawi produced 221 million kilogrammes (kg) of tobacco last season against 213 million kg buyers demand, a situation that distorted the market and dampened prices.
Nyasulu said, among others, the conference will be held before farmers start their nursery and field works, observing that holding the conference weeks before the sales season opens is not perfect since production is already done.
He said: “The contract farming model remains a critical pillar for improving productivity, quality and farmer welfare. However, it can only succeed where there is full accountability on both sides.
“The Tobacco Commission will continue strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure that all contracted volumes are responsibly managed and that contractual commitments are respected. If we are to achieve sustainable growth, we must deliberately bridge the key gaps in our industry.”
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi, speaking when she opened the conference, advised TC to strengthen regulatory oversight to align production with market forces to ensure sanity in the industry.
She expressed concern that the tobacco sector being the most structured market in the country should not be facing overproduction challenges because such developments distort the market and could affect the industry reputation on international markets.
She said: “If we have a well regulated and structured sector in the country, it is tobacco industry. We should not expect such cases. We cannot benefit more by growing more tobacco.
“The commission must strengthen production discipline, improve registration data system, combat illegal vending and cross-border trade, restore confidence in contract farming and strengthen stakeholder collaboration.”
On buyers, Mbilizi lamented the behaviour of not honouring contract farming obligations, saying the commission should strengthen its regulatory oversight to close the existing gaps.
She said: “We are also enhancing transparency in contract farming arrangements to ensure that farmers receive fair value for their labour and investment.
“I call upon all stakeholders: regulators, buyers and farmer organisations to deepen collaboration, build trust and improve market efficiency. We cannot speak of a sustainable tobacco industry without empowered and economically secure farmers.”
Tama Farmers Trust president Abiel Kalima Banda recently expressed optimism that the good rains this season could result in good quality leaf on the market.
He said: “If farmers produce low quality leaf, they will face challenges on the market. But I am convinced that most farmers will produce quality tobacco because of the sensitisation campaigns that we conducted.”
Last season’s overproduction dampened prices to around $2.60 (about K4 522) per kg from $2.98 (about K5 217) per kg in the prior year, according to experts.
This season, tobacco production estimates survey results are yet to be released, but tentative demand from buyers is 170 million kg, a reduction from last year’s 213 million kg.
The two-day conference under the theme ‘Bridging the gap in the tobacco industry for sustainable growth’, has brought together industry stakeholders, including tobacco processors, growers, transporters and buyers, among others.
