By Brighton Tchongwe
Media Network on Tobacco (MNT) has expressed concern over the low levels of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by tobacco buying companies, calling on them to take immediate action.
MNT President Alfred Chauwa made the remarks during an interface meeting with journalists, where he also raised concerns about some tobacco farmers who have started selling their crop before the official opening of the market.
Chauwa urged farmers to keep their tobacco properly stored and away from moisture to secure better prices once the market officially opens. He emphasized that tobacco remains a serious business and a key source of income for many Malawians.
“Instead of selling tobacco as early as February, farmers should consider diversifying by planting other crops, especially early-maturing varieties that can generate quick income. This is in line with the Tobacco Industry Act approved by Parliament in 2019, which strongly promotes crop diversification,” Chauwa explained.
He cautioned farmers against engaging in premature sales despite the current economic challenges, warning that such practices could lead to heavy losses in the tobacco industry.
Chauwa further noted that as the country continues to experience climate change shocks, farmers should actively participate in tree-planting initiatives to help restore and protect the ecosystem.
“Some farmers are already selling tobacco leaves to vendors at prices as low as K4,000 per kilogram. As a network, we strongly condemn this malpractice and urge them to stop,” he said.
He also appealed to the government to deploy more agricultural extension workers to assist farmers with best practices in tobacco production.
