Since Anti-smoking campaigns and other health authorities pressured tobacco buying companies to reduce their demand, tobacco farmers lamented excess rejected tobacco, which was not only a loss but a waste of time and resources. A new initiative arrives for tobacco farmers, as it has been announced that specific varieties of tobacco will be grown to produce jet fuel and bio-diesel.

A company called DDN Energy Solutions has revealed that tobacco varieties that do not contain nicotine will be used for the initiative, which according to the company, is a multi million dollar initiative.

The company has set up for the 2019/20 season, preparing for 10,000 hectares worth of harvest, whilst a processing and refining plant will be set up in Lilongwe.

The tobacco varieties that can produce the jet fuel and bio-diesel do not contain nicotine but rather contain Solaris.