Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/797484
54 tobaccoasia / Issue 1, 2017 March / April TAMA Burley Buying Prices 2016 Currency applied: Malawian Kwacha (K) 1 US$ = 733 Kwacha (Source: TAMA – Tobacco Association of Malawi) PRIMINGS (FLYINGS) MAIN LEAF LENGTH PRICE LENGTH PRICE LIGHT RED No 1 K300.00/kg K410.00/kg 48cm and over 41 cm-47 cm K250.00/kg No 2 K220.00/kg K250.00/kg 41 cm-47 cm 30 cm-40 cm K220.00/kg No 3 K200.00/kg K220.00/kg 30 cm-40 cm 19 cm-29 cm K160.00/kg 19 cm-29 cm K160.00/kg K180.00/kg "X" "X" (Clean/Broken) K80.00/kg (Clean/Broken) K65.00/kg K80.00/kg Waterstained K30.00/kg Waterstained K30.00/kg K30.00/kg TAMA headquarters in Lilongwe Growers attending a TAMA meeting Tobacco warehouse in Mphomwa township, Kasungu district has also impacted prices, which have plummeted in recent years. Nevertheless, contracting farmers and a new farmer management system (FMS) ad- ministered by Malawi's Tobacco Control Commis- sion (TCC) have both helped to somewhat miti- gate that situation, particularly for smallholders. It is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 people nationwide farm tobacco, but nobody is really sure about that. However, according to Maloney, it is hoped that the newly implemented FMS will eventually confirm this number and also report other crucial market data more accurately. Yet there can be little doubt that Malawi's tobacco industry faces numerous challenges that reach far beyond unstable crop yields and low prices. Among scores of others, farmer poverty, insufficient farmer training, miniscule net income, rapid population growth, environmental damage, changing weather patterns, food insecurity, and limited water resources are all part of a larger equa- tion. Tobacco companies are certainly doing their part to address many of these issues through con- tracting and direct support, often providing ser- vices that should be the responsibilities of others. Sustainability promotion through IPS Like most tobacco merchants, PTTL is dedicat- ed to tackling these numerous challenges. "Our fully staffed agronomy department implements IPS to support our contract farmers with all in- puts for tobacco production, food security, social programs and training," Maloney said. This also includes environmental protection, revitalization and rehabilitation. Malawi has been heavily deforested over many years, and it is no big secret that at least some of the environmental damage (PTTL puts the figure at about 10%) was caused due to tobacco farm- ing and leaf processing. While certain quantities of forest-harvested fire wood are still used in curing, "the tobacco industry is very much at the fore- front of trying to help rehabilitate Malawi from an environmental perspective." insisted Kilner. For example, wood lots from other sources are sup- Courtesy of Tobacco Association of Malawi Courtesy of Tobacco Association of Malawi Courtesy of Tobacco Association of Malawi