Eastern province is on track to contribute to the estimated production of 120 million kilograms of tobacco this year, from the 72 million produced in 2025.
A spot check on some tobacco fields in Chipangali District was met by a good performing crop, whose harvesting and curing process is also in effect.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Sakala a tobacco farmer of 6 years, projects to raise up to K1 million from the crop sales, compared to the K637, 000 he realised last year.
He said the crop has performed well, and he is sure the production for the year will be more than it was last year.
“Most of my colleagues are happy with the crop, and it is visible even as you move around in villages,” he said.
Mr Banda cultivated three (3) hectares of tobacco last year, and has increased to five (5) this year.
The crop’s good performance has further been confirmed by Steven Phiri, an Agronomist from Buy Leaf Tobacco Company (BLTC), a private tobacco company.
He said this year’s crop performance is better than last year.
“This has been a good year. Most of our famers have managed to produce the crop and it looks good. The cures have been favourable; the humidity has been fine. We are expecting a good harvest,” he said.
BLTC is sponsoring over 500 farmers in the province.
The Country’s tobacco production has been rising over the years, with a total of 44. 2 million kilograms produced in 2023, and 44.4 million kilograms in 2024.
A major upward shift was recorded last year, at 72 million kilograms.
And Eastern province is the country’s top producer of tobacco, contributing up to 50 percent of the crop.
Smoking is dangerous to your health. Pssst..ganja is actually better