Tobacco to Remain Malawi''s Key Crop, Says Agriculture Minister Peter Mwanza

Source from:  MaraviPost.com (mw)  07/01/2013

Despite the anti-tobacco lobby being championed by the World Health Organization, Malawi government says tobacco will remain the country's key and strategic crop for years to come.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Mwanza spoke when he officially opened the 25th Annual Congress of the Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama) in Lilongwe.

He assured farmers that government vigorously support and sustain the industry for the betterment of the country's economy.

Mwanza also bemoaned challenges which include flaws in grower registration and the existence of unscrupulous associations that exploit farmers.

Tobacco production is one of the country's largest sources of income and Malawi was, at one point, the 12th largest producer of tobacco leaves and 7th largest global exporter of tobacco.

In 2010, Malawi was the world's leading producer of burley leaf tobacco. Enditem