14pc jump in tobacco planting

Edgar Vhera

Agriculture Specialist Writer

The area transplanted with tobacco has risen by 14 percent, from 65 000 hectares on December 13 last year for the last crop to 73 000ha this year for the new crop.

Farmers are still transplanting the last seedlings for the dryland crop as fresh rains fall.

Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show that the area planted increased from 64 513ha to 73 261ha, marking a 14 percent rise.

Grower registrations also rose by 11 percent, from 112 445 for the last crop to 124 845 for this crop. While not all who register as potential growers plant seedlings, more farmers are adding tobacco to their businesses as they recover from the El Niño-induced drought of the past season to a more promising La Niña in the 2024/25 production season.

In a post on X, TIMB said: “Several parts of Zimbabwe are receiving rain, ending the extended dry spell. Ensure your crop thrives by controlling weeds and maintaining proper ridges for efficient drainage. A well-prepared field equals a healthy crop.”

TIMB also advised farmers to maintain a sucker-free crop for better leaf quality and weight, and to regularly monitor and manage plants for optimal growth and harvest.

“Rainfall remains erratic, and the dry spell has been lengthy; growers should practice climate-smart agriculture to irrigate moisture-stressed crops, weed to reduce competition for water, and pothole to capture rainfall and reduce runoff,” added the TIMB notice.

Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association chairman Mr George Seremwesa said while rains are not yet sufficient and are scattered, they are promising, and the irrigated crop is doing well because of the warm conditions.

“The mass and quality of the leaf will improve as the fertiliser consumed by the plants is released with the rains,” he commented.

Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Mr Victor Mariranyika agreed that although scattered rains have been received in some areas, the amount remains inadequate.

“The heatwave experienced in the last few days was excessive, causing most tobacco to suffer from sun scorch, which can potentially reduce leaf quality and mass.

“Most farmers who planted early irrigated crops are busy harvesting and curing their produce,” he pointed out.

However, he noted that most farmers with seedlings in their seed beds faced the twin challenges of soaring temperatures and water scarcity.

“We encourage farmers to mitigate the situation by employing climate-resilient methods,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Kutsaga Research has provided guidance to farmers on what to do when their crops experience early flowering.

“If your tobacco plants are flowering prematurely, remove flower buds through topping to redirect energy into leaf growth.

“Prune the plants to encourage stronger development.

“Also, growers should reduce nitrogen and focus on balanced nutrients like potassium and phosphorus, as well as ensuring consistent irrigation to prevent water stress,” read the notice.

The Government crafted the tobacco value chain transformation plan to sustainably produce 300 million kilogrammes of tobacco in the planted crop.

Last season’s high average prices on both the auction and contract systems have incentivised the production of the golden leaf this year, with prospects of breaking the record area and production high.

The largest area under tobacco was 146 000 hectares in 2019, and the record-breaking output was 296 million kg for 2023. Farmers are producing more from slightly less land as they push productivity.