admindistrict over their failure to abide by stalk destruction regulations.
In an interview with The Herald recently, Mr Charehwa said farmers were not following regulations on the destruction of tobacco and cotton stalks at the conclusion of growing seasons.
“Tobacco stalks should be destroyed by May 15 every year but there are some farmers who still have seedbeds from last year. Such farmers are killing the industry.
“There is need for a dead period during which there is no tobacco crops on the land to disrupt both disease and pest cycles,” he said.
He added that some commercial farmers who were renting land were even planting before September 1.
“Some planted around 23 August last year, which means that their nurseries were established in May.
“There is rampant flouting of regulations, which is giving leeway to diseases. The whole district is not following the regulations. The effects of this negligence will be felt in the long run,” said Mr Charehwa.
Online Reporter