The tobacco industry in Malawi has resolved to intensify grower engagement on El Nino to mitigate its potential impacts on the 2026/27 farming season. El Nino is associated with prolonged dry spells and below normal rainfall, which can affect tobacco production.
The agreement was reached at an El Nino preparedness meeting that the Tobacco Commission convened in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
Industry players agreed to use extension structures and mass media to engage growers with information on recommended farming practices. The industry-wide campaign will complement awareness activities already being undertaken by government.
This comes as tobacco growers in the country begin preparations for the 2026/27 farming season, with nursery preparation expected to start this month.
In its 2026/27 seasonal outlook, the department of climate change and meteorological services says most areas in southern and central Malawi are likely to receive below-normal rainfall, with normal to above-normal rainfall in much of the north.
The meeting in Lilongwe brought together the Commission, grower associations, buying companies, AHL and the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET).
Speaking at the meeting, Controller of Agricultural Services (institutions) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Dr Jeromy Nkhoma called for a unified approach to mitigate the effects of El Nino on tobacco production.
“Industry players should not approach this as competition because the phenomenon affects the whole economy. Those who come across helpful information about the phenomenon should share with the whole industry,” Dr Nkhoma said.
He also called for strategies to maintain crop health and urged industry players to help translate information from the department of climate change and meteorological services into practical guidance for farmers.
In a technical presentation, ARET recommended the use of drought-tolerant seed varieties, deep ploughing and staggered sowing among the measure that growers could adopt.
Tobacco remains central to Malawi’s economy, historically contributing an estimated 12 to 15 percent of GDP and accounting for more than half of the country’s merchandise exports in some years, according to government data.
0 Comments