Tobacco Control Commission has advised tobacco farmers in the country to desist from including non-tobacco materials in their produce in the fourth coming tobacco market season.
This has been said in a statement released by the commission and signed by its Chief Executive Officer.
In the statement, the commission said it is a worrisome development that despite different meetings with farmers, some still include non-tobacco related materials which is a continued prevalence during the market period.
The commission said this is a major setback in the tobacco industry as it erodes buyer confidence in Malawi’s tobacco.
The use of, sale and importation of tobacco from uncertified seeds is another behavior that the commission has warned farmers on as this brings down the quality of tobacco on the market.
Farmers have also been advised to avoid intermediate buyers as the Tobacco Act prohibits anyone from buying tobacco without a valid license as this hinders farmers from benefiting from their produce.
The commission has therefore warned that any person who contravenes or fail to comply with these will be guilty of an offense.
The tobacco market is likely to be opened next month.
