All stages are important in tobacco production

Yvonne Mutava

There is a 21 percent increase in the number of growers who sold their tobacco this marketing season compared to the 2016 season. 95 829 growers sold their tobacco this marketing season compared to 74 575 last season.

Notable is the 57 percent increase in the number of women who sold tobacco this season. 

The continued increase in the number of farmers in the tobacco sector, particularly women and youths is a welcome development.

For success in tobacco farming, one needs to adhere to good agronomic practices right from land preparation right through to presentation and marketing.

The good agronomic practices can be acquired from extension officers and through attending training programmes that are availed to farmers at no cost by TIMB, TRB and AGRITREX.

If one tries to venture into tobacco production without guidance, proper planning and necessary knowledge, one is certainly doomed to fail. 

Prisca Fireyi, 44 from Odzi, highlighted that in-depth knowledge on the crop and proper planning are critical success factors to producing good quality tobacco.

“By the time the season commences a good farmer should be ready to embark on her farming journey,” she said.

Fireyi who ventured into tobacco growing business in 2001 said certain processes and procedures have to be considered and followed to avoid loss.

“ From the land preparation stage up until the curing stage certain procedures have to be followed. The crop appears to be a bit demanding but once a farmer is committed and has adequate knowledge, growing tobacco is an easy task,” said Fireyi.

According to Fireyi a farmer should consider winter ploughing before the month of June when seedbed preparations start.

“Depending with the farmer a field should be ploughed two or three times to remove the weeds as well as to mix the soils.

“A farmer must record the dates on which he or she should have applied weed or pest chemicals. 

“Another option for a farmer is to burn maize husks in order to control weeds. This does not always need to buy expensive chemicals. Farmers ought to learn to manage costs without however cutting corners. 

“Care should be taken when applying fertilizers as less or too much fertilizer can also affect the crop.

Once the nursery is done, watering is to be managed so that it will not affect the seed before it germinates.

The seedbed has to be covered with grass to protect the tobacco plants from frost as well as protecting it from being splashed by water when watering. 

 Amai Mkwasi 34, from Centenary echoed the same sentiments with Fireyi saying fertilizer is number one requirement when it comes to tobacco growing.

“Fertilizer is a requirement which helps in producing quality yield however when applied in excess it might lead to the destruction of the crop,” she said.

Mkwasi said she uses cup number 30 to apply compound C, cup 5 for her initial application of Ammonium Nitrate, cup 8 when applying the second time as well as cup 5 for Calcium nitrate which is usually applied after topping. 

The other important aspect which should be well taken care of as said by the two ladies is harvesting tobacco at the apt time, when it is neither green nor overripe. 

“If tobacco is harvested green, it has a fixed green colour after curing and if it is over ripe, it turns a blackish color after curing, both scenarios which affect the prices at the floors. 

“Leaves should be lemon or orange after curing depending with whom you are targeting to sell to, and this is achieved in fertilizer application,” she said.

Curing is another stage which should be handled with care, said Mkwasi. “If one fails to manage the curing process, one may lose her crop at this stage.”

Mkwasi who has been into tobacco growing since 2012 produce 7500 plus kilogrammes on her three hectare farm.

“From my tobacco proceeds, I bought a Ford Sierra, furnished my home, and I can afford to hire tractors when ploughing, something that I could not afford in the past. 

Mkwasi urged tobacco farmers to buy coal for curing in order to reduce negative impact on the environment. 

Farmers are urged to attend to TIMB trainings which are conducted in their regions to gain experience and knowledge on how best to produce quality tobacco in an efficient way.

For additional Information contact
TIMB on telephone numbers 08677004624/6 or 0772145166/9 or 0279-22082/21982 or 025-3439 or 067-24268/29246 or 0277-2700 or 064-7280 or 0271-6772 or Toll Free Numbers 08006003 / 0731999999 / 0712832804 or WhatsApp 0731999999 or E-mail: info@timb.co.zw

Experiences of a young tobacco grower

Buhle Nkomo 

 The interest in farming by Zimbabweans has steadily grown over the years. Many have seen it as a viable means to make an honest living and support themselves and their families

Tobacco farming is one of the many areas which has attracted young Zimbabweans who wish to support themselves  of the land.

“I started growing tobacco when I was 23 years old. The three year stint that I have grown tobacco has been characterized by hard work and determination. Tobacco production is lucrative,” said Simbarashe Nyakurimwa (26) a tobacco grower from Bindura in Mashonaland Central Province.

Nyakurimwa started growing tobacco after attending a farmer’s training workshops which was conducted at the company where he worked. 

  

“Being involved in the industry motivated me to venture into tobacco farming. I used to travel with agronomists who trained farmers on good tobacco farming practices. In the process I learnt how tobacco is farmed. 

“With experience, my farming practices have improved gradually over time. This year I managed to attain almost 3 500 kgs from 1.5 hectares. My prices ranged between $1.10 and $5.10. Last year, from the same plot my yield was slightly less than 2 000 kgs." he said.

According to Nyakurimwa there were various key steps that were required to ensure a successful tobaccop season for a farmer.

“One of the critical success factors in tobacco production is early land preparation as well as adhering to good agronomic practices.

“Disking has to be done properly and soon after the destruction of stalks so as to conserve the moisture. This allows the soil to become soft, permitting roots to go deep when the crop has been planted

“Care should be taken during establishment of seedbeds as pests and diseases initiated at this stage compromise quality and yield. A farmer should be able to control pests and diseases during the seedbed stage so as to promote growth of healthy plants.

“Chemicals and fertilizers should be applied correctly and when it comes to nitrogen farmers should ensure that their crops have optimum amounts as too much or too little may compromise both yield and quality.

In short one needs to have their soil tested,” he added on. 

Nyakurimwa said he reinvested his proceeds from this season in his farming business through rehabilitating his  barns as curing is a make or break stage in tobacco production. 

Michael Tigere, 29, a tobacco grower from Mvurwi concurred with Nyakurimwa on the importance of adhering to good agronomic practices.

“Tobacco farming requires adherence to good agronomic practices. One cannot afford to take short cuts. I plan and prepare in time” said Tigere. 

“Land preparation and establishment of seedbeds are the initial stages in tobacco production. Fumigation is requirement at the onset,” Tigere said.

“Chemicals for termites are applied three days before nursery. Once the nursery is done, watering will be the routine until the hardening process which is followed by top dressing,” Tigere said

According to Tigere the plants have to be trimmed after two months, then the hardening process has to be done after trimming. Skipping one of these stages compromises both yield and quality.

“In tobacco farming, learning is a continuous process. I urge other farmers to attend training programmes conducted by TIMB in conjunction with AGRITEX or those held at Kutsaga” said Tigere.

“I make use of extension services from AGRITEX whenever my tobacco plants develop something I am not familiar with.

“In the five years I have farmed tobacco, besides my upkeep, I have managed to buy a 2 tonne truck, a motor bike and a peanut butter grinding machine which I now use for income generation. I encourage other youths to do likewise and venture into tobacco farming,” said Tigere.

Farmers are encouraged to register for the 2017/2018 season as well as to attend training workshops offered by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board in the districts. 

If for any reason there are stalks that have not yet been destroyed or regrowth, farmers are urged to attend to them as a matter of urgency. 

For additional Information contact
TIMB on telephone numbers 0772145166/9 or 0279-22082/21982 or 025-3439 or 067-24268/29246 or 0277-2700 or 064-7280 or 0271-6772 or Toll Free
Number 0731999999 or E-mail: info@timb.co.zw