JTI Leaf Malawi has called for amendments in the Tobacco Industry Act, as farmers also had their reservations on the Act.

While farmers felt that the new law allows the Tobacco Commission (TC) to keep 75% of overproduced tobacco, JTI has called for the amendment of sections 45 (3) and 64(2) of the Tobacco Industry Act. Section 45 (3) holds that “in case of funded contract farming, production of alternative crops maybe the term of the contract but the buyer shall not provide the inputs for the alternative crops.” Section 64 (2) provides that “Under contract farming, a buyer shall have the responsibility of hiring and making payment for the transportation of tobacco from an estate to tobacco floors.”

The commission implemented the new Tobacco Industry Act, which is aimed at sustaining the industry’s input to the national economy. TC Chief Executive Officer, Kaisi Sadala, also outlined that the new Act aims at reforms areas border on strengthening regulatory framework, regulating tobacco production and promoting markets as well as improving financial sustainability. Following a meeting between Vice President Saulos Chilima and the Commission, the VP commended TC’s efforts to enhance production of tobacco.