Maravi

(HERALD) Tobacco growers step up transplanting

Tobacco growers step up transplanting
Thursday, 08 December 2011 00:00
Business Reporters

TOBACCO growers have stepped up transplanting following delays caused by late rains, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has said. TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri said as of Friday last week, about 22 000 hectares had already been planted out of this year's target of 70 000ha. Traditionally, tobacco planting officially ends on December 31.

"Tobacco planting delayed this year due to late rains but everything is now on course and we are hoping that by the end of the official deadline, we would have planted the targeted hectarage," he said.

Dr Matibiri said about 150 million kg of the "golden leaf" was expected next year, 12 percent higher than 132 million kg produced past year.

He, however, hinted that the delays in planting might affect output and quality.
Revenue from tobacco sales was about US$357 million in 2010, according to calculations based on production and price figures on the website of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association. That compares with

US$400 million in 2000 and a low of US$155 million in 2008.

Meanwhile, environment and climate analysts have urged stakeholders in the tobacco industry to educate farmers on the need to grow energy woodlots for tobacco curing to avoid destruction of forests.

The major change in the tobacco grower base from a few white farmers to many black tobacco growers led to a major shift in the source of energy to cure tobacco from the traditional coal with wood now being preferred as an alternative. Consequently, unsustainable harvesting of trees for tobacco curing have continued to threaten the country's indigenous and commercial woodlands.

"It must be noted that while it is good for the country to have high tobacco production, there is also need for preservation of forests considering that many farmers have resorted to wood as an alternative energy source for curing tobacco," said one environment analyst.

"Stakeholders should educate tobacco farmers to grow trees, particularly exotic ones such as gum trees which grow faster than local species."

The Forestry Commission says it will engage farmers to plant fast-growing tree species such as eucalyptus for tobacco curing as a way of conserving forests and providing affordable fuel to sustain tobacco farming.

Labels: TOBACCO

posted by MrK @ 8:15 AM