Tanzania, June 28 -- Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has called for stronger regional cooperation among tobacco-producing countries to safeguard the economic role of the crop, which it says supports millions of livelihoods and contributes significantly to export earnings and government revenue.

Opening a meeting of tobacco-growing countries in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, Minister for Agriculture Daniel Chongolo said tobacco remains a key cash crop for several economies and should be supported through policies grounded in evidence and the development priorities of producing nations.

"For our countries, tobacco is not merely a crop; it is an economic commodity with strategic importance," he said.

He said tobacco is among Tanzania's leading e...