Tobacco first round crop assessment out

Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) has said the leaf’s first round assessment report will be ready next week as 11 teams of tobacco experts are currently in the fields assessing the situation on the ground.

TCC chief executive officer Albert Changaya said in an interview on Monday the team comprises officers from TCC, growers associations, researchers and buying companies.

“Give us until next week to give the nation concrete figures on the situation of tobacco on the ground,” he said.

He, however, said the tobacco regulatory authority is worried with the prolonged dry spell that has affected most districts in the country, saying it might impact on yield and quality.

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza said on Monday the ministry is also waiting for TCC’s assessment on the situation of tobacco on the ground in the face of the dry spell.

So far, indications on the ground show that tobacco and maize crops have been hugely affected by the prolonged dry spell.

Last year, Malawi produced 192.7 million kilogrammes (kg) of all types of tobacco. n