In line with the 5-year Strategic Plan (2019-2023) that aims at promoting sustainability and progress the Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) has rebranded to TAMA Farmers Trust. The official launch of the rebranding event took place on 19th December 2019 at its Head Office in Lilongwe. The rebranding led to changes in the corporate portfolio, business orientation, diversity and clientele. The constitution, the logo, and the website have also changed.
The Annual Congress (Annual General Meeting) of 2019 resolved that it was high time the institution diversified into other business ventures alongside tobacco. As intelligent as the farmer is – he/she has already been doing that, but lacked organizational support, especially for the small to medium scale farmers. We also need to look into the issue of value addition to the non – tobacco crops, so as to maximize revenue and not to end as just primary producers. Predictable markets for the non – tobacco crops have been a challenge. The new TAMA would work with interested institutions, and government to foster structured markets.
In the new setup, the Organisation has the TAMA Farmers Trust as the Apex body with TAMA Agriculture and TAMA Enterprise as the major operational branches.
Under the TAMA Agriculture there are middle to large scale farmers and Farmer Cooperatives formed through tobacco farmer clubs and those formed through other enterprises such as macadamia, coffee, soybeans, groundnuts, tea, sugarcane, horticultural crops, dairy, poultry.
In an effort to diversify its business portfolio, the Trust is exploring new business opportunities and developing enterprises in form of production and processing for value addition and produce marketing. In this respect, the TAMA Enterprise is registered in the unrestricted business category and therefore it will also be exploring other businesses beyond Agribusiness.
The change only augments the concept of our fore fathers who in their wisdom and dynamism created the Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) in 1929.
TAMA has worked tirelessly in conjunction with the Government and all industry stakeholders and support agents to achieve its mission. 60% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings is derived from tobacco transactions. This is a significant contribution to the economy from a single crop. Tobacco will continue to be the pillar of the country’s economy for the foreseeable future. TAMA has been and will continue to be one of the country’s important social economic development partners.
Logo and Motto
The change of the corporate portfolio entails that we also change our organization’s logo (as above) and motto ‘leading farmers to prosperity’.
Logo’s Abstract
The inner white circle represents the holistic (3600) covering of the farmer in all aspects. The rising (gold) sun in the middle represents a bright future while the blossoming plant in front of the rising sun represents the new beginning. Green and gola are the Trust’s corporate colours.
Legal Obligations
The rebranding does not affect the legal personality of the existing entity which retains its right and obligations in all existing relationships with all parties. We shall continue to be a focal institution in matters of representing the tobacco farmer in the country.
International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) Status
Our status as a member of the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) remains unchanged. In fact, Malawi (through TAMA), is the current Chairman of the global ITGA whose Secretariat is in Lisbon, Portugal.
Our Vision
To be the most effective and successful farmer organisation in advancing members’ business interests.
Our Mission
To provide visible and compelling services to the members and perpetuate sustainable balance in the generation of wealth in a manner that ascertains wider income diversification and value.
TAMA Farmers Trust opens doors for more collaboration in all its undertakings.