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A century of growth? A history of tobacco production and marketing in Malawi 1890-2005

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  • Prowse, Martin

Abstract

During the past century tobacco production and marketing in Nyasaland/Malawi has undergone periods of dynamism similar to changes since the early 1990s. This article highlights four recurrent patterns. First, estate owners have either fostered or constrained peasant/smallholder production dependent on complementarities or competition with their estates. Second, rapid expansion of peasant/smallholder production has led to three recurrent outcomes: a large multiplier effect in tobacco-rich districts; re-regulation of the marketing of peasant/smallholder tobacco by the (colonial) state; and, lastly, concerns over the supply of food crops. The article concludes by arguing that whilst the reform of burley tobacco production and marketing in the 1990s engaged with the first two issues, it may have benefitted from paying greater attention to the latter two issues as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Prowse, Martin, 2011. "A century of growth? A history of tobacco production and marketing in Malawi 1890-2005," IOB Working Papers 2011.10, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).
    • Handle: RePEc:iob:wpaper:2011010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Moyer-Lee, Jason & Prowse, Martin, 2012. "How traceability is restructuring Malawi’s tobacco industry," IOB Working Papers 2012.05, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).

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