Malawi: JTI Hails New Tobacco Policy

Source from:  The Times Group (blog)‎ 11/28/2012

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) says it will consolidate its relationship with farmers and other stakeholders with an objective to restore the country's tobacco market share on the international area.

The company said this on Friday during a field visit to JTI contracted farmer, Violet Savala, at Chitedze in Lilongwe by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Peter Mwanza.
 
The company organised the field visit in conjunction with Agriculture Research and Extension Trust (Aret).
 
JTI Malawi Corporate Affairs Manager, Limbani Kakhome commended government for adopting the Integrated Production System (IPS) saying this will bare fruits to the industry.
 
"Our objective is to contribute to Malawi regaining its position as the leading exporter of burley and supporting the country's economic recovery plan," said Kakhome.
 
The company said it will continue its drive to promote the IPS the government recently adopted, commending the authorities for making a bold decision.
 
Mwanza hailed JTI's Integrated Production System saying the company has shown how the system can improve the quality of tobacco that in turn ensures more income to farmers.
 
"The IPS system provides farm input to farmers and this makes them produce a good quality leaf and better income. As government, we will continue encouraging the company and others to continue and make it even better," said Mwanza.
 
Government allocated 80 percent of total tobacco output this year to be sold through the contract arrangement with the remaining lot to go through auction marketing.
 
This follows pressure from the buyers who prefer the IPS to the auction saying the system ensures quality, recommended production practices, among others.
 
"Our facilitated farmer scheme promotes sustainability through forestation, food security, elimination of child labour and provision of integrity in the farming process through traceability, improved agronomy practices and security of high quality and market-competitive leaf," said Kakhome. Enditem