Malawi, Zambia engage on best tobacco farming practices
Tobacco Commission (TC) officials and a delegation from the Tobacco Board of Zambia on Monday met in Lilongwe to discuss and learn from each other best practices on tobacco regulation and environmental sustainability.
The dialogue, according to TC, was initiated by the Tobacco Board of Zambia and discussed issues based on mutual trust between the two parties.
In a written response after the visit, Tobacco Board of Zambia chairperson Phil Daka expressed satisfaction with the operations of the tobacco industry in Malawi.
He said: “We have leant a lot, especially the harmony that exists between the industry regulator and other stakeholders.
“The environmental protection and sustainability practices and the Malawi Government’s active involvement in the tobacco industry are also some of the lessons drawn from the visit.”
Daka commended the local tobacco industry, observing that there is a cordial engagement at different stages of tobacco production and marketing.
“We have noted that there are engagements on different levels and stages which include the determination of the cost of production for purposes of guiding government involvement in setting minimum prices for tobacco every year and the opening and closing of tobacco selling seasons, among other issues.
“This goes a long way in ensuring smooth running of tobacco industry and this is what we can borrow and practice back home.”
On his part, TC spokesperson Telephorus Chigwenembe described the learning visit by the Tobacco Board of Zambia as evidence of the good standing of Malawi’s tobacco industry.
He said: “This demonstrates that we are doing things right in Malawi. We call for continued cooperation among all players in the industry to ensure that we not only increase production, but also maintain our tobacco as the preferred brand on the global market.
“We have learnt from our counterparts that we need to continue embracing new technologies and methods of farming and marketing our tobacco to remain a reliable source of tobacco.”
Tobacco remains a key cash crop in Malawi, contributing about 60 percent to foreign exchange earnings, 15 percent to the country’s gross domestic product and the sector employs millions of people directly and indirectly.
This year, the country earned $282.61 million (about K304.55 billion) from 120 million kilogrammes (kg) of tobacco sold at an average price of 2.35 (about K2532.51) per kg.
