Malawi’s tobacco output declined by 12 percent in the 2017/18 farming season, dropping to 149 million kilogrammes this year from 171 million during the 2016/17 season.Tobacco Control Commission chief executive officer Kayisi Sadala said on Wednesday that farmers did not produce enough tobacco during the just-ended season to meet the buyers demand.

He attributed the decline in hectarage put under the golden leaf to natural challenges.