Heavy rains threaten 2023 tobacco output
There are fears among some tobacco farmers over low output due to heavy rains, which have affected most parts of the country.
In Kasungu, for example, hailstorms have damaged some tobacco crops under Chamama EPA.
In an interview, Tobacco Association of Malawi Trust President Abel Kalima Banda said the outlook is mixed.
He said while the 2022- 223 farming season started on a good note the outlook is now murky due to heavy downpours.
“The rains pose a threat to tobacco production output during this year’s farming season and we might see it dropping from the 85 million kilogramme which we supplied to the market last year,” he said.
Agriculturalist Leonard Chimwaza said it is time farmers and the country at large embraced crop insurance as a risk management measure.
“There is a need for civic education as well because, without it, farmers think it is a waste of money to insure crops, especially when disaster has not befallen them,” Chimwaza said.
Last season, the country failed to meet the 100 million kilogrammes international tobacco demand, having produced about 85 million kilogrammes.
Justin Mkweu is a fast growing reporter who currently works with Times Group on the business desk.
He is however flexible as he also writes about current affairs and national issues.
