Aret investigates availability of ‘fake’ tobacco seed

Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (Aret) says it is investigating complaints that tobacco seed purchased from the institution did not germinate.

The move to institute the investigations comes after some tobacco farmers in Kasiya, Lilongwe, complained that they bought seed from Aret which did not germinate during this year’s planting season.

Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama) Kasiya Depot chairperson Golden Kalichero said in interview last week that they bought seed from Aret, which was being sold at K7 000 per five grammes, but it did not germinate.

He said: “Some people brought us the seed, claiming that it was from Aret and after they convinced us not to plant local varieties known as Yoyoyola, we decided to buy from them.”

But Aret deputy director for extension and specialist services John Nyangulu said despite Aret not being aware, the seed may not have come from the organisation because they have put in place measures to ensure that if anything happens to its seeds, farmers can complain formally.

“The way we pack our seeds gives farmers a very good chance to complain if there are challenges. On our packet, there is a serial number and inside the packet there is a batch number,” he said.

Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) chief executive officer Albert Changaya agreed with Nyangulu that the farmers may have been duped by some unscrupulous people.

Tobacco is Malawi’s main foreign exchange earner. n