Malawi’s tobacco industry is facing a significant setback after a nationwide registration drive under the Know Your Grower (KYG) programme attracted only a fraction of the country’s growers. According to figures released by the Tobacco Commission, 55,851 farmers registered for the KYG exercise, representing just 19 % of the 293,205 tobacco growers recorded in Malawi. The low uptake has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the initiative, which was launched to tighten compliance with industry regulations and improve traceability of the crop. The registration exercise began on 21 September and was originally scheduled to close on 3 October. Because many farmers continued to seek registration beyond that date, authorities extended the deadline to 17 October. The field registration operation will end on that day, but the commission will continue to accept registrations at its divisional offices in Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mzuzu and Limbe. Tobacco Commission Public Relations Officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said the KYG programme is intended to strengthen adherence to tobacco industry rules and make it easier to monitor and track production across the country. He acknowledged the commission’s concern over the low turnout and said it will conduct an assessment to determine the factors contributing to the poor response. “We will conduct an assessment to establish the factors contributing to the low registration numbers,” Chigwenembe said. The KYG registration drive is part of broader efforts to improve oversight of tobacco production and boost accountability within one of Malawi’s most important export industries. As the field exercise draws to a close, the commission faces an uphill battle to bring more farmers into the system, although continued registration services at its regional offices may provide a lifeline for growers who have yet to sign up.
Article source: Nyasa Times | Image credit: Nyasa Times