The Tobacco Commission is rolling out the ‘Know Your Grower’ (KYG) project to make all growers traceable by the 2027 marketing season.
The initiative aims to address the lack of traceability in auction tobacco, a major hurdle in securing international buyers and meeting global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Historically, the lack of a robust tracking system for Malawi’s auction tobacco has deterred some buying companies.
The KYG project is designed to bridge this gap, ensuring that all tobacco crops can be traced directly to their source. This compliance shift aims to make auction tobacco far more marketable and secure the long-term sustainability of the country’s green gold.
The Commission has since kicked off stakeholder engagement sessions to present the KYG concept and solicit vital feedback from industry players.
According to the implementation roadmap, the project will roll out in July, coinciding with grower licensing for the 2026/2027 farming season.
Speaking to buying companies in Lilongwe, Tobacco Commission Enforcement and Liaison Manager Chimwemwe Chifomboti emphasized that the industry is working toward a strict deadline: to have every grower fully traceable by the time the 2027 marketing season opens.
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