Crop estimate survey gives a glimmer of hope

Malawi is expected to increase tobacco production in the current season based on a report of the first round of the crop estimate survey jointly conducted by players in the tobacco sector.

According to the report, it is projected that there will be a 21 percent increase in the production of the crop compared to that of the last growing season.

The report projects the production of 146 million kilograms of the leaf compared to 120 million kilograms in the last growing season.

According to the Public relations officer for the Tobacco Commission Telephorus Chigwenembe, the increase is due to increased hectarage due to good prices in the previous season, increased sponsorship and availability of inputs.

Despite the drought that affected many parts of the country, Chigwenembe is expressing hope for a better season this year.

“We look forward to a more exciting season than was the case last year and we hope that the recently experienced dry spell in some parts of the country will not have a significant impact on tobacco production this year,” said Chigwenembe.

Meanwhile, Chigwenembe indicates that the second round of crop estimates will be conducted between the end of this month and mid-next month and will determine the impact of the dry spell on the gold leaf in some parts of the country.

Tobacco continues to be a major crop and comprises between 12 and 15 percent of Malawi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is a major forex earner.