BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Tobacco Commission (TC) has commended some growers for following good agriculture practices (GAP) as provided by extension officers during this growing season.
In a press statement issued and signed by its Chief Executive Kaisi Sadala on Thursday, April 23,2020 the commission applauded growers who have managed to produce good quality tobacco that is well graded and presented in accordance to the standard grade factors.
The commission together with other stakeholders has however expressed concern over the poorly graded tobacco that some growers presented to the market which attracted poor prices and rejection.
Among other characteristics of the tobacco presented by the growers, the commission has observed that there are some bales of tobacco that contained leaves of different color, length and plant positions, mixture of mouldy and non mouldy tobacco, water stained and non water stained tobacco,bottom leaves with upper stalk leaves and over conditioned tobacco.
The Commission has therefore urged farmer to properly grade and present their tobacco according to the standards set by the industry to avoid huge loses.
Growers have also been reminded that the minimum bale weight is 25 KGS and transportation rate is per kilogram per kilometer.