Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
KUTSAGA Research has effected a 13 percent discount on float trays from US$2, 40 to US$2, 10 each for purchases of 87 or more, as farmers target to increase tobacco production.
The move that applies to the 200-cell float tray model only was motivated by Kutsaga’s desire to climate-proof tobacco seedlings, as it partakes in the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan’s (TVCTP) push to have a US$5 billion tobacco industry by the end of this year.
Tobacco seedling production is done under the conventional or float tray system.
Kutsaga Research public relations and communications officer, Mr Tatenda Mugabe said the float tray system had numerous advantages over conventional methods and urged farmers to tap into their experiences from the recent El Nino-ridden season.
“The float tray system allows for over five-fold reduction in seedbed area from between 90 and 120 square metres under conventional method to around 16. It also uses less water of between 6 000 and 7 000 litres per hectare against 46 000 to 47 000 litres,” said Mr Mugabe.
The float tray system requires less chemicals as indicated by the plant disease triangle and the integrated pest and disease management system. It also requires less fertilisers.
Mr Mugabe hinted that seedlings were easier to transplant as they can be pulled from the trays with minimal root disturbance, enhancing their survival and early growth.
Seedlings from float trays exhibit superior quality plus are more uniform and drought-tolerant.
“Float tray seedlings have robust roots and are transplanted into the field with medium from the seedbed for quick establishment.
“Their germination rate is very high as compared to the conventional seedbed,” he added.
A cost-benefit analysis shows that the float tray system has an initial cost of around US$300 per hectare (inclusive of seed, chemicals, fertilisers) but this cost will go down to less than US$100 with the use of the 200-cell tray that is also reputed for being labour-extensive compared to the conventional method.
Mr Mugabe said float trays could be used for up to five years if well maintained.
Float seedlings can be re-floated if not immediately transplanted, offering flexibility in planting schedules. The float system is also eco-friendly.
Many small-scale growers experienced the challenge of seedling shortage this season, as water sources to irrigate their seedbeds ran dry as a result of the El Nino induced drought and delayed start of the rainfall season.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) chairman, Mr George Seremwe said though the Government extended seedbeds destruction date to January 15 from the mandatory December 31, it did not help much as the conventional seedbed tobacco had already dried.
He said the nation could have recorded a record-breaking hectarage in the 2024/25 season but this was scattered as farmers’ seedbeds were destroyed because of lack of irrigation water.
Kutsaga stepped in to help growers by slashing seedling prices by 50 percent from US$430 to US$215 per hectare but this did not help much, as they soon ran out of stock against a huge demand.
