Malawi President joins hands with JTI to secure tobacco future
Malawi President Professor Peter Mutharika on Thursday graced one of the world’s largest cigarrete manufacturers JTI with his presence when he opened a new warehouse and substantial upgrades to their tobacco processing line at their site in Lilongwe.
The investments, worth more than K5 billion, reaffirm JTI’s long-term commitment to the future of tobacco in Malawi.
The newly built warehouse adds additional storage area equivalent to more than two football pitches, while the upgrades to the processing plant enhance quality, productivity and safety.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the JTI factory, the President shared the Company’s positive vision for the future.
“This is a great day, not only for JTI, but for the tobacco industry and indeed for Malawi since this investment offers hope to us all that tobacco will still be grown in this country for several years to come,” he said.
Mutharika went on to say that government of Malawi is committed to passing a new law that supports sustainable growing and selling of tobacco, which will protect the livelihoods of the country’s millions of smallholder growers.
For his part, JTI Senior Vice President, Paul Neumann, said the company will continue working towards harnessing Malawi’s potential as a leading producer of the burley leaf: “We applaud President Mutharika in his support of JTI.”
Head of JTI’s business in Malawi, Fries Vanneste, went on to say: “Our approach will improve the profitability of growers and the stability of the Malawian tobacco market. We provide support not only to individual growers, but also invest in entire communities to improve access to water, healthcare, and better education.”
JTI Malawi operations employ more than 1 300 people and works directly with over 11 000 growers.
Lets try ganja
Za zi
Ngati kuti ma sacheti (blackberry) sanakwane. Wakufunanso kuwononga miyoyo ya wanthu ndi fodya wakeyo.
Ndiye muzamumva kuchuluka nzeru misika ikazatsegulira mu Marichi mu.
Pakali pano azibisala choncho namzemba Chakwera anali konkoyo.
Ndiye akuti ife tikhale patriotic koma akulephera kumugwira chanza Lazarus.
Mwina amaopa kuti kungomushekina hand Lazaro, Ziwanda za khala pa msana wa ujeni yu ndani uyu, paja dzina lake ndani uyu, zingatuluke kikikiki
Let us try cannabis sativa (chamba). It is a US$840 billion business. It does not require much water to grow, can grow in poor soils, no need for fertilizer. Its a multipurpose plant. Leaves can be used as a vegetable, stem for fibres or wood energy, seeds for oil. Much of our chamba is low in “high” and good source of nutrients like omega 3 and 6. (These are found only in marine (fish)). Our chamba is mostly low in THT (substance that makes people feel high). It is called “hippes disappointment” because it does not make you high. It… Read more »
Iwe bwampini ifetu tufuna uzipanga zimenezi osati jst sitting phwiii/ kumangoyankhula za against JB wamva
Bravo Government for this great news. All lecturers should go home and start tobacco growing as we are rest assured of market.
Uku ndiye kubwera
WE SEEM TO BE RELYING TOO MUCH ON TOBACCO WHICH IS A DYING COMMODITY.ITS TIME TO DIVERSIFY OR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE IS AS GOOD AS DEAD.
Mungofuna kuwasokoneza alimi. M’malo moti muwauze alimi kuti alime soya. Awatu anasunga kale fodya woti akhala akumusinja kwazaka 5 zikubwerazo.
Koma Chithuzi chapamwambacho mwachiwonetsetsa? Manganya wayamba liti kukhala body guard Wa Pulofesa?
Tobacco only benefits the buyers not the growers. The only growers who benefit tobacco are non white Malawians like the Galas and company. Tobacco gives us about $360 million annually but the same quantity gives the buyers and manufacturers more than $4 billion. We are real dunderheads being exploited in broad day with our eyes wide open. What a shame to a country that has celebrated 50 years of independence.
Change of policy or tired of being holed up in State House? Mpaka kukatsegulila warehouse? Osamatha mau msanga. I am sure APM has realized that visibility is important for the Presidency. I shall continue watching.