Maravi

(HERALD) Farmers undergo training

Farmers undergo training

THE Tobacco Research Board has trained 6 790 farmers to grow tobacco using the floating tray system, an official has said. Divisional manager Mr Meanwell Gudu told New Ziana that the board aimed to train 710 more this year. "The board is training the growers across districts at different specified venues," he said. Farmers have been trained in Chinhoyi, Banket, Headlands, Mvurwi, Beatrice, Marondera, Rusape, Mt Darwin and Karoi.

The board is promoting the use of the floating tray system which protects the environment. The present method is being phased out for using methyl bromide.

The use of the chemical as seedbed fumigant is being abolished for containing ozone depleting substances.

Zimbabwe started training farmers using the new system in July last year when 1 334 went through their paces.

United Nations agency Unido was providing free trays and plastics as well as funding the expensive training method.

Zimbabwe aims to phase out 50 tonnes of methyl bromide this year and stop its use by 2015.

Mr Gudu said Zambia, Brazil and the United States were phasing out the chemical.

Tobacco is one of the main foreign currency earners in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe signed the Montreal Protocol seeking to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances. — New Ziana.

Labels: FARMERS, THE HERALD, TOBACCO, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 2:48 AM