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Preps for tobacco season on course

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TOBACCO growers, despite some of them still selling last season’s crop, have stepped up preparations for the 2016/2017 tobacco cropping season.
The tobacco cycle starts in June when farmers prepare their seedbeds.
In September, planting begins mainly for farmers who irrigate their crop.
Those who depend on rainfall continue to manage seedbeds and nurseries waiting for the onset of rains.
It takes an average 90 days before the crop matures.
Harvesting starts in December and marketing begins in February.
However, this season’s marketing was delayed as rains were received late and most farmers were behind schedule.
Selling of the golden leaf commenced in March.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Wonder Chabikwa, said farmers should by now have removed stalks, started land and seedbed preparation.
According to tobacco production regulations, stalks from the previous season must be destroyed before May 15, while establishment of seedbeds must only be done after June 1.
Failure to destroy stalks in time leads to pests and diseases affecting the coming new crop.
“There are farmers who are still selling their crop from last season, but preparations for next season are already underway,” said Chabikwa.
“Growers are urged to adhere to the Plant Pests and Diseases Act that governs the production of good quality tobacco.”
Tobacco growers are advised to winter-plough soon after harvesting.
Winter-ploughing helps conserve residual moisture and is crucial in weed control.
Apart from winter-ploughing, farmers are advised to get their soils tested.
The status of the soil affects the growth of plants and ultimately yields, thus soil testing is critical in determining the nutrient content in the soil.
Lime and gypsum are applied, if necessary, in order to redress soil acidity and alkalinity before planting as this helps increase yields.
“If a farmer wants improved yields, he/she should ensure he/she does the proper preparation requirements,” Chabikwa said.
“As part of preparations, farmers should ensure they have adequate inputs such as seed, fertiliser and chemicals for the desired hectarage.
“Those who will be irrigating should ensure they plan on a hectarage-basis, making sure each will be sufficiently fed by the water from their sources.”
As part of preparations, farmers are encouraged to renew growers’ numbers to avoid late registration that attracts a penalty.
Chabikwa said although farmers had started preparing seedbeds, majority of growers were reluctant to use the floating system, preferring the conventional seedbed.
“Farmers are ‘unwilling’ to adopt the floating tray that has numerous advantages compared to producing seedlings in seedbeds,” he said.
“They are hesitant to use the floating tray system.”
Agriculture experts say the floating tray system is ideal as chemicals do not get into the soil.
In addition, the floating tray system guarantees superior seedlings that are uniform in size.
The floating tray system, said experts, produces better yields than the conventional seedbed.
Before the 2009/2010 summer season, preparing conventional seedbeds involved the use of chemicals such as ethylene dibromide and methyl bromide, which were not environmentally friendly.
The chemicals, which have since been phased out and replaced, were used to curb nematodes.
Meanwhile, the Tobacco Research Board (TRB) has released five new tobacco hybrid varieties, namely, T70, T73, T74, T75 and T76.
TRB is mandated to seek ways of enhancing production of the golden leaf by conducting research on advanced methods of farming and producing advanced seed varieties.
The seeds undergo a 10-year trial before being released to farmers.
Farmers who purchase the new varieties are urged to continue planting the variety for the next 10 years.
The cut-off date for TRB to sell seeds is September 15.
This year, changes were made to the payment system with the hope of improving operations of farmers and these have helped cushion farmers from the ‘cash crisis.’
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) highlighted the new Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) regulations that require farmers to be paid through their banks in order to encourage savings and foster financial inclusion.
This entailed all farmers to have bank accounts.
In the past, it was mandatory for contract farmers only to have bank accounts.
Meanwhile, farmers have resorted to purchasing inputs using plastic money.
With preparations on course for the next tobacco season, it is anticipated yields will continue to rise.
Tobacco, the country’s golden leaf, remains the highest foreign currency earner in Zimbabwe.

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