The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
TOBACCO farmers in Makoni who planted the golden leaf under irrigation have started reaping and curing despite crippling labour shortages.
Tobacco grown under irrigation is of high quality as the water supply is controlled and the crop takes up all the nutrients.
Makoni District agronomist, Mr Mahlupeko Chowafa said 6 000 hectares of tobacco were put under irrigation, and so far 11 000ha are under rain-fed tobacco.
Some farmers are still planting.
He said the irrigated crop is in good condition and farmers are guaranteed of producing at least three tonnes per hectare.
“In Makoni District, 6 000ha were put under irrigated tobacco. Reaping and curing has started in earnest. So far irrigated tobacco is still dominated by well resourced large-scale commercial famers. For small-scale farmers, the capital required to set up irrigation facilities is prohibitive.
“However, farmers must not hesitate to try it as it is very lucrative. Through irrigation, a farmer has the capacity to control the water as opposed to rain-fed farming where sometimes farmers suffer losses through leaching and other vagaries of the weather,” said Mr Chowafa.
Headlands farmer, Mr Tedious Nyikayaramba of Choko Farm who had 40 hectares under irrigation started harvesting on Monday.
He said the major challenge he is facing is labour.
Some farmers are now resorting to fetching workers from surrounding villages and urban settlements.
“We have 40ha of irrigated tobacco which we started reaping and curing this week. We are expecting an average of 3,5 tonnes per hectare. The major challenge we are facing is shortage of labour. This is the peak period of tobacco harvesting where more manpower is required.
“We also planted another 20ha which will be rain-fed and supplemented by irrigation. Our crop is of high quality and we are expecting good return of our investments,” said Mr Nyikayaramba.
