Tobacco Commission (TC) has announced that it will implement strict compliance concerning the auction system of selling tobacco. TC chief executive officer Kayisi Sadala said told The Nation newspaper that the strict scrutiny will be implemented on the Integrated Production System (IPS), also known as contract farming.

The development follows a complaint from tobacco farmers who called for the abolishment of contract farming. During the Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) growers tour at the Mzuzu Auction Floors, Tobacco farmers in the North have called for the abolishment of contract marketing of the crop, arguing they are not benefiting from the system.

Sadala outlined that among others, strategies that TC will use to ensure tobacco growers under auction are also compliant, include vetting all new applicants before issuing a licence. He added that TC will also implement know-your-customer inititive for all tobacco growers while also undertaking Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite-based radio navigation system, so that every tobacco grower’s database is fully known.

“In compliance with the law, the commission will ensure that all research, extension services and use of chemicals and pesticides are duly complied with,” he said.