Low turnout in Malawi tobacco registration exercise

Malawi’s tobacco industry is facing a major setback after barely one in five growers registered under the crucial Know Your Grower (KYG) programme, despite a deadline extension and a nationwide registration drive.

Figures released by the Tobacco Commission show that only 55,851 farmers have registered for the exercise out of the country’s 293,205 recorded tobacco growers, representing just 19 per cent of the total farming population.

The disappointing uptake has sparked concerns over the effectiveness of the initiative, which was launched to tighten compliance with industry regulations and improve the traceability of Malawi’s tobacco crop.

The registration exercise began on 21 September and was originally due to end on 3 October. However, authorities were forced to extend the deadline after large numbers of farmers continued seeking registration beyond the initial closing date.

With the field registration exercise now set to end on Saturday, 17 October, officials are under pressure to understand why tens of thousands of growers have failed to enrol.

Tobacco Commission Public Relations Officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said registration would continue at the commission’s divisional offices in Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mzuzu and Limbe, even after field operations close.

Mr Chigwenembe said the KYG programme is designed to strengthen adherence to tobacco industry rules while making it easier to monitor and track tobacco production across the country.

But he admitted that the commission is concerned by the low turnout and plans to investigate the reasons behind the poor response.

“We will conduct an assessment to establish the factors contributing to the low registration numbers,” he said.

The KYG registration drive forms part of wider efforts to improve oversight of tobacco production and boost accountability within one of Malawi’s most important export industries.

As the field exercise draws to a close, the commission faces an uphill battle to bring more farmers into the system, although continued registration services at its regional offices could provide a lifeline for growers who have yet to sign up.