A Snapshot of Tobacco Cultivation and Crop Diversification in Malawi

Through this study, the Agricultural Policy Research Unit (APRU) and the Centre for Social Research (CSR) of the University of Malawi have taken important steps in: identifying the dynamics of tobacco cultivation in Malawi; describing efforts undertaken in the country to experiment with alternative crops; and explaining the roles of different institutions involved in both processes in the country. <br /><br />The specific purpose of the study was to review and synthesize the available information on the value-chain with respect to tobacco production in Malawi and to document previous experiments in alternative crops and livelihoods in the country. The study was undertaken with a view to identifying remaining gaps in the information and raising outstanding issues that relate to research or policy implications for tobacco growing in Malawi.<br /><br />The authors find that the government of Malawi and the private sector have had only minimal involvement in terms of their support to crops other than tobacco. Due to this lack of attention to other crops, crop diversification efforts have had little success in Malawi. While there is a loud rhetoric by the government on the need to diversify the economy, there is little action. The studies that have been commissioned to look at the matter show that tobacco is still and is likely to continue to be the mainstay of the economy although several crops can be promoted as a substitute. There has been no organised, systematic effort to experiment with the aim of finding an alternative to tobacco. No strong institutions exist in Malawi to ensure that alternatives are developed and successfully entered into the relevant domestic and international markets.