Malawi：Tobacco Production Costs Up by 70 Percent

Source from:  www.dailytimes.bppmw.com 02/17/2009

Tobacco experts have said production costs of the crop for this year are much higher as compared to last year. This was revealed recently during a Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama) growers' sensitisation meeting with stakeholders in Bwanje, Ntcheu. According to Agriculture Research and Extension Trust (Aret) Central Region Extension Supervisor Kingsely Jere, the cost of production has risen due to the price of fertiliser. "Fertiliser prices went up tremendously this year and this has an effect on many farmers. Fertiliser contributes a lot to production hence there will be a high cost of production," said Jere. Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) Chief Auctioneer Mc Andertone Chimbaya said tobacco farmers mostly lose out due to misconception that if they do not have any connections with auction floors staff then their products would be bought at lower prices. "As farmers, you know how much you laboured and what it takes to bring tobacco to the auction floors. Some of you prefer to corrupt auction staff hoping to get better prices for your tobacco. "The corrupt practices do not help, the only way to have quality tobacco that can fetch good prices at the market is to follow advice from extension workers on good tobacco practices," said Chimbaya. National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Public Relations Manager Annie Magola told the farmers to verify their bank accounts with the bank. "Before you go to the auction, make sure that your bank account numbers are correct to avoid problems when depositing the money in your accounts," said Magola. She further said this year NBM would make sure that tobacco sales were deposited in the farmers' accounts without any delays. The farmers were also advised on booking methods, how to fill delivery notes, and placement of labels according to type of tobacco, among other things. The meeting drew together stakeholders like Ministry of Agriculture, Alliance Capital, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC), NBM, Aret, AHL and Tama. Enditem