For a tobacco-free world: in two video clips, farmers in Malawi give an insight into what tobacco cultivation has meant for them and how their present and future are changing with food cultivation.
Tobacco is still the most important economic factor in Malawi, and many smallholder farmers in central and northern Malawi grow tobacco. However, farmers make little profit from tobacco and often do not even earn enough income for their livelihood[1].
The Supply Chain Act, which holds companies accountable for respecting human and labour rights, does give some hope that conditions in tobacco cultivation can improve in the medium term.[2] However, tobacco remains a product that is harmful to the health of both consumers and growers. In order to lead a dignified, self-determined and healthy life, it is necessary for tobacco farmers to get out of tobacco farming and find alternative sources of income.
Tobacco farmers in Malawi have taken the step out of tobacco farming. They now grow food crops and earn a much better income. In the short video clips, they give an insight into why the transition was necessary and how their present and future are changing with food cultivation.
"I see a bright future with this agriculture" Violet Jevinala on the cultivation of food crops
World map of change