By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, March 12, Mana: Farmers in Kasungu have hailed Agriculture Extension Officers and Alliance One company for their support that enables them to produce quality leaf which is highly marketable at the market.

Speaking on Tuesday, one of the farmers, Maxwell Banda said the training support he has been offered by Agriculture Extension Officers in the Traditional Authority (TA) Chulu has equipped him with exceptional knowledge on how he can cure and grade tobacco from nursery till harvesting.

Banda said the trainings have significantly impacted his production as he produced 15 tobacco bales in 2024, which were sold at a very good price.

"From the time I started attending the trainings and received support from Agriculture Extension Officers, the harvests have changed from producing 3 to 15 bales of tobacco.

"I believe that this year I will produce more than 15 bales," Banda explained.

William Chenembu is another farmer from TA Kaphaizi in Kasungu district, who is thrilled with the support that Alliance One Company provides.

He applauded the Company for its commitment of providing farm inputs and trainings to contracted farmers in the area.

“I thank Alliance One Company for its unwavering support it renders to us farmers, these have improved my production.

"For instance, I have been harvesting 50 tobacco bales every year and I sale at good price," Chenembu explained.

He further said that due to the dry spells that occurred this growing season, he expects to have low harvests of about 20 tobacco bales.

Chinembu added that despite anticipating low yield, his tobacco has been well cured, and is expected to be sold at a good price.

Corporate Affairs Officer for Alliance One Company, Ben Kaonga said as part of the Company's extension services, they provide contracted farmers with group and one-on-one agronomic support to promote production of compliant, quality and high yield.

He further said the company educates contracted farmers about the importance of presenting quality leaf and well graded tobacco.

"Our company educates contracted farmers about the importance of presenting quality and well graded tobacco as it improves efficiencies at market resulting in timely sales.

"Prices are also competitive. Our contracted farmers recognized that to attain high quality tobacco, adherence to agronomic practices at all production stages is important," Kaonga said.

He added that the benefits of their services help contracted growers to understand and appreciate the importance of implementing agronomic practices that result in improved yields, food security and diversified income opportunities.

On his part, spokesperson for Tobacco Commission, Telephorus Chigwenembe said, the commission is committed to ensure that all institutions that deal with farmers on tobacco production are following recommended practices.

He said the Tobacco Industry Act empowers the commission to confiscate illicit tobacco.

"We are committed to ensure that all institutions that have the responsibility to educate farmers on tobacco grading and handling are doing the right thing and are following the law," Chigwenembe said.

According to Chigwenembe, the Commission will continue demonstrating to the world how the country is producing tobacco and how it is complying with environmental, social, and governance standards in the production of tobacco.