By Brenda Kayo:
A visiting delegation from the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has described government’s involvement in determining minimum prices for tobacco during the crop’s marketing season as crucial in preserving the tobacco industry.
This came out at the end of the delegation’s week-long study tour in Malawi over the weekend.
In an interview, TBZ Board Chairperson Phil Daka said the Zambian delegation has learned more about Malawi’s tobacco operations, which they are keen to introduce in their country.
Daka singled out direct government involvement in setting prices and continued dialogue between the sector regulator, Tobacco Commission (TC), and stakeholders such as farmers, transporters, buyers and the market operator.
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“We were here to understand what our colleagues in Malawi are doing to drive the volumes up and see what we can employ to boost our own sector. In the just ended season, Malawi produced 125 million kilogrammes (kg) of all types of tobacco, which is a milestone compared to the 45 million kg produced in Zambia,” Daka said.
Daka also described the relationship between the Tobacco Commission and other industry players as cordial.
TC spokesperson Telephorus Chigwenembe says the regulator is excited that Malawi’s tobacco industry can inspire other countries.
“It is evident that the way we are managing our tobacco industry has attracted others to come to learn from us. This is encouragement that we are on the right path and will continue to improve.
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“I call upon all stakeholders in the industry in Malawi to continue collaborating with one another to continue cooperating with the Tobacco Commission on issues affecting tobacco farming to ensure increased production and quality tobacco,” Chigwenembe said.
However, the local authorities are looking to boost production and amend some identified bottlenecks in the Tobacco Industry Act.
During the opening of the 2023 tobacco marketing season in Lilongwe, TC Board Chairperson Godfrey Chapola announced that the regulator would be working towards increasing annual production to 200 million kg by 2028.
The 120 million kg of tobacco sold in the just ended tobacco season was 50 million kg shy of the 170 million kg demand on the market.
