During President Peter Mutharika’s address about COVID-19 measures, the leader directed the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that the tobacco marketing season is in operation.

The development follows after the Tobacco Commission (TC) announced that the opening of the market would delay due to the president’s prior directive that disapproved gatherings of more than 100, in an effort to prevent the spread of the pandemic. TC Chief Executive Officer Kayisi Sadala said that since the green gold market is always congested with buyers and growers, opening of the market will be delayed, while waiting on government’s approval on when the market should open.

Almost two weeks later, the state president directed the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that Auction Holdings Limited functions normally, to operate the tobacco marketing season and protect tobacco farmers. It is not known how the market will have crowds without fear of spreading the pandemic, but it is expected that the measures at the auction floors will soon be communicated to stakeholders.