In response to numerous requests from farmers who were unable to participate in the initial registration and licensing process, the Tobacco Commission has announced an extension of the deadline for tobacco growers. The regulator has granted additional time for registration, recognizing the importance of accommodating those who may have missed the initial period. Tobacco Commission Public Relations Officer, Telephorus Chigwenembe, said the commission will open all its offices across the country to register and give license to the farmers. ”We have extended the period to give a chance to farmers who missed the December deadline due to other reasons,” he said. He then said the farmers who have not yet been licensed can visit their offices in Lilongwe, Limbe, kasungu, Mzuzu, so that they are helped through the registration and licencing procedure. “it is then important to note that the farmers who are yet to register will not be required to pay late registration fees,” Chigwenembe said. He also said these tobacco growers will pay their registration fees after the sale of their tobacco this year. The extension period is expected to end on 31st January 2024. Meanwhile, the commission’s country-wide nursery assessment survey conducted to assess growers’ preparedness for tobacco production this farming season revealed a 22.5% and 37% increase in seedbed area and planned hectarage, respectively, as compared to last year. Of the three types of tobacco grown in the country, burley reflected the biggest planned hectarage registering a 49% increase from last year’s actual. The survey report released in December points the increased seedbed area and planned hectarage to increase in quota for growers, farmers’ plans to cushion themselves against germination failure, increased sponsorship by tobacco buying companies and motivation triggered by better prices fetched in the 2022/23 tobacco marketing season. The report further notes that sampled nurseries looked good, the seedlings were healthy and most of the growers were following recommended agricultural practices. In the 2022/2023 farming season, 120 million kilogrammes of tobacco valued at $282.6 million was sold at an average price of $2.35. In the previous farming season, 85 million kilogrammes valued at $182 million was sold, fetching an average price of $2.14 per kilogramme.