By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, January 09, Mana: The Tobacco Commission (TC) has described the implementation of the new tobacco law – the Tobacco Industry Act No.5 of 2024 as instrumental in the transformation of the tobacco industry in the country.

Speaking with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Public Relation Officer (PRO), for the TC, Telephorus Chigwenembe, says implementation of the new law will make the Malawi tobacco industry more attractive further creating a competitive atmosphere on both local and international markets as well as rising expectation to the local producers.

“The new tobacco law will, among others, ensure that as a country we comply with international standards on tobacco production. This will make our tobacco more attractive, which we expect to motivate good competition for our crop.”

“When competition is very good, you expect good prices for the crop,” said Chigwenembe.

Tobacco Commission also acknowledged tobacco farmers’ satisfaction with the new regulations governing tobacco industry in the country highlighting that the initiative has proved to be more beneficial than before.

Among other things, the new regulations allow farmers to use own vehicles to transport their tobacco to the market which previously was prohibited.

The Tobacco Industry Act No.5 of 2024 provisions also states that if a company in contract with a farmer refuses to purchase their tobacco twice, the farmer has the right to sell to another company or at auction.

Furthermore, farmers now have the right to appeal to a court of law if they are dissatisfied with a ruling made in their case. This has been implemented to ensure that justice is always upheld. The panel overseeing such cases will include a retired judge, an expert in tobacco farming, and an agricultural specialist.

Reacting to the development, Alfred Kapichira, one of the mega tobacco growers from Madisi in Dowa district, has appealed to Tobacco Commission to maximize civic educating farmers in all parts the country to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the newly implemented tobacco laws in the country.

Recently, Tobacco Commission has been civic educating tobacco farmers in areas where tobacco farming is prevalent in the country.

Tobacco remains the premier cash crop for forex generation in the country.