In a striking declaration of support for Malawi’s agricultural backbone, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday called for renewed commitment to protecting the nation’s tobacco farmers, lauding them as indispensable architects of the country’s economic survival.
Speaking at the official launch of the 2024/2025 Tobacco Market Season at the Auction Holdings Ground in Kanengo, Lilongwe, Chakwera underscored the profound impact of tobacco growers in anchoring the fragile Malawi Kwacha and fueling the nation’s foreign exchange reserves—lifelines for the country’s broader development agenda.
“Tobacco farmers are not mere contributors—they are economic stabilizers,” the President proclaimed to a crowd of industry leaders, government officials, and growers. “Their sweat strengthens our currency and sustains our economy. It is imperative that we shield their interests.”
Echoing the President’s sentiments, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale praised the nation’s farmers for their relentless pursuit of excellence, noting that the high quality of this year’s crop had not only impressed the ministry but also garnered admiration from international tobacco buyers. Kawale voiced hope that the season would yield rewarding prices for producers, especially those who invested in quality.
Earlier, Tobacco Commission Chairperson Dr. Godfrey Chapola lauded President Chakwera’s leadership, describing it as instrumental in securing fair market conditions for farmers. Chapola revealed that this year’s production had soared to 170 million kilograms—an impressive leap from 133 million kilograms last season. He also confirmed that buyers had previously expressed interest in acquiring up to 200 million kilograms, signaling a potentially robust market ahead.
As Malawi steps into a pivotal trading season, the President’s message was clear: tobacco farmers are no longer to be treated as footnotes in the economy, but as central figures whose prosperity spells progress for the entire nation.
