A subsidiary of tobacco buying and processing firm Alliance One, known as Pyxus Agriculture Limited has announced its  plans to work with farmers on contract to produce high-value legumes for the export market.

The announcement comes after a similar development in July, when Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama) President Abiel Masache Kalima Banda revealed that the firm has developed a five-year strategic plan which will see it opt for other crop value chains apart from tobacco.

According to Banda, Tama is considering re-branding, which will open the association to other crops in its business endeavors. However, he disclaimed that tobacco will remain the primary focus of the company, while looking for additional crops in other business value chains that would assist to support the livelihoods of farmers in Malawi.

Pyxus Value Added Agriculture Products Division executive vice-president Jose Maria Costa said that the decision to work with pigeon pea farmers was also for diversification sake. “When tobacco production goes down, we ask ourselves what are we going to do with the farmers, how can we find alternative crops that farmers can grow and generate alternative income and add value to them?” he told reporters.