The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
HARVESTING of the irrigated tobacco crop planted in September 2023 is in full swing in Manicaland, while the majority of dry-land growers are working flat out transplanting their seedlings after the Government pushed forward dates for destruction of seedbeds to January 15, 2024.
The Plant Pests and Diseases Act (Chapter 19: 08) compels growers to destroy seedbeds by December 31 or as soon as the seedlings are no longer required.
However, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr John Masuka, waived the dates to mid-January to allow growers of rain-fed tobacco to transplant their seeds, especially after the wet season started late.
In a statement, Dr Masuka said: “Due to the late commencement of the season, many growers of rain-fed tobacco will not be able to transplant their seedlings by the seedling destruction deadline of December 31, 2023.
“Pursuant to the above, I have, in terms of Section 5 (1) of Plant Pests and Diseases (Tobacco) Regulations, 1979, made the following variation to the tobacco seedling destruction date for the 2023-24 season only.
“The last date of destroying all tobacco plants in seedbeds shall be January 15, 2024, in the case of plants of a type other than oriental.”
Tobacco growers are expected to adhere to all other legislated dates to prevent the carryover of diseases and pests.
Tobacco specialist with Agritex, Mr Lazarus Nzarayebani, said although truant rains had pegged back planting, Manicaland of late witnessed an accelerated rate of transplanting.
The province, he said, is edging closer to attaining its target of 27 000ha.
“Those who did irrigated tobacco are in the midst of harvesting, but what is noteworthy is that the province has of late witnessed an accelerated rate of transplanting since the wavering of that last date of seedbed destruction by the Minister to January 15, 2024.
“So farmers are working around the clock transplanting their crop, taking advantage of the current wet spell. As we speak, 20 500 hectares have been put under tobacco, leaving us within reach of our set target of 27 000ha,” he said.
This season, 16 572 growers registered, compared to the 23 137 recorded during the same period last season, presenting a negative variance of 28 percent.
Nationally, 112 087 growers registered, compared to 144 434 growers registered during the same period last year.
In Manicaland, the majority of the growers are communal (7 386), A1 (7 179), small-scale commercial farmers 1 179 and 810 A2 farmers — giving a total of 16 572 growers.
Communal, A1 and small-scale commercial farmers, who account for the bulk of the tobacco output, lack irrigation capacity and rely on rain-fed farming.
Only A2 have irrigation capacity.
The bulk of planting has been done in Makoni, Mutare and Mutasa.
About 94 percent of the registered growers are contracted.
Mr Nzarayebani urged farmers to apply adequate water and fertilisers on their crop to ensure high quality tobacco.
“The farmers delayed planting because of the late rains, and to prevent this from translating into reduced quality and yield, they must plant what they are able to feed and manage.
“Ordinarily, our farmers struggle with capital for labour and inputs, so they should not plant bigger areas without the requisite fertilisers.
“In communal areas where the dry land tobacco is struggling, it has rained and the crop has been resuscitated. The dry-land crop is now doing well. We would like to implore growers to clear their fields of weeds and scout for pests.
“The target, in terms of planted area is within reach and we should do everything possible to maintain quality and improve the yield,” he said.
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has also added shisha tobacco, another cash crop, to the list of their produce.
The first batch of the crop was grown during the 2022/23 season.
TIMB has also licensed six new contractors to increase the number of tobacco financiers for this season.
