TCC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Albert Changaya who spoke in an interview on the sidelines of an ARET field day in Kasungu has attributed the reduction to the drought which has hit parts of the country.

He explained that 186 million kilogrammes of burley tobacco are expected to be produced against a demand of about 132 million Kgs leaving 54 million Kgs of uncommitted stock.

Changaya however parried away fears on this uncommitted stock as the first estimates were done when the crop had just 3-7 leaves on average.

He said a team will be dispatched to conduct a second round crop assessment from Monday 29th February and that after 2 weeks they will get a thorough picture of the crop.

The estimates also showed that Malawi is likely to produce close to 2.8 Million kgs of western tobacco against a demand of 4.6 million meaning the country has under-produced.

On flue cured, about 22 million kgs is expected against a demand of around 21 Million which Changaya said is not bad as the country has aligned her production to demand.

On the migration of growers from flue to burley tobacco this year, Changaya stated that this followed low prices offered during last year’s growing season.  He added that although the trend is not a good thing, TCC will ensure that farmers fetch good prices this year.

Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET) Chief Executive Andy Khumbanyiwa cited AB H12, ABH 31, AB H41 as some of the hybrid burley varities his organization is promoting as they are high yielding, drought and disease resistant.

During the field day, ARET also showcased technologies of early planting with water two weeks before planting time so that when the rains come the plants are already established using the moisture in the soil applied during planting.

Commenting on the mounting anti-smoking campaigns, Khumbanyiwa advised farmers to grow as per the industry’s requirements for them to fetch better prices as they will be responding to the size of the demand for the country’s green gold.