By Clinton Kesten Mwanyopa:
The Tobacco Commission (TC) has said its Know Your Grower (KYG) initiative is key to improving competitiveness and marketability of Malawi tobacco on the international market.
TC Public Relations Officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said international buyers now demand transparency on the origin of tobacco.
“Buyers want to know where tobacco comes from and who grew it. KYG is our response to that demand for transparency and accountability in the supply chain,” Chigwenembe said.
Launched in July 2026, KYG aims to establish a comprehensive database of growers, farm locations, sizes and GPS coordinates to ensure traceability from the farm to market.
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Chigwenembe said the initiative was important for the future of Malawi’s tobacco industry.
He said KYG was a one-time registration exercise, distinct from the annual tobacco licensing which farmers must renew every season.
Agriculture policy analysist Tamani Nkhono-Mvula has backed the initiative.
“This is, indeed, a very good development as far as tobacco marketing is concerned. If tobacco cannot be easily traced to the producer, that tobacco is condemned and rejected,” Nkhono- Mvula said.
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He said whoever smokes tobacco anywhere in the world should know that the tobacco was grown in Malawi, by a particular farmer and under what conditions, including which chemicals were used.
Nkhono-Mvula said tobacco produced under contract meets international requirements because companies assist farmers with coordinates and extension services, but tobacco under auction faced serious challenges last year due to lack of traceability.
“KYG and its stipulations are now a standard as far as marketing is concerned. If Malawi cannot abide by that, then we should forget about having our tobacco accessing international markets. We have no choice,” he said.
He said unless farmers under both auction and contract systems comply with traceability requirements, they would continue facing marketing challenges and struggle to find sensible markets.
The commission has extended the field registration at Extension Planning Area level across the country to October 17 due to high turnout, while registration will continue at all major TC regional offices, including Kanengo in Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mzuzu, and Limbe in Blantyre.
TC has called on all tobacco growers nationwide to embrace the initiative.—Mana
