List of approved agro-chemicals released

Edgar vhera

Agriculture Specialist Writer

WITH most markets now favouring tobacco produced using safe and sustainable methods, Kutsaga Research has released a list of approved and banned agro-chemicals for use by farmers in line with phytosanitary requirements guiding international trade.

The banned chemicals include a range of fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, insecticides, nematicides and suckercides: benomyl, butralin, alachlor, dimethenamid, metolachlor, trifluralin, acephate, chlorpyrifos, fenvalerate, methamidophos, methomyl, monocrotophos, thiodicarb, aldicarb and pendimenthalin.

The list of approved agro-chemicals bears both the chemical and trade names of the products, company distributor, old and new certificate number as well as the expiry date with July 7, 2027 being the last expiry date for the sanctioned chemicals.

The list also includes fungicides, herbicides, suckericides, growth regulators and fertilisers, insecticides and nematicides.

In a recent notice to all tobacco growers, contractors, merchants and agro-chemical companies, Kutsaga Research said it was mandated by the Tobacco Marketing and Levy Act to continually test, approve and monitor all crop protection agents for use on tobacco under the pesticide approval scheme service.

The Act states that no one can treat any tobacco with a remedy, which is not registered nor reap or offer for sale any tobacco treated with a non-registered remedy. Tobacco treated with an unapproved chemical has to be destroyed without compensation to the grower and this legislation has been used to destroy tobacco in the field or offered for sale where the regulations are infringed.

“As over 90 percent of the Zimbabwean tobacco crop is exported, the tobacco must meet stringent international agro-chemical regulations for international acceptance and maintenance of markets especially in an increasingly competitive global market.

“Furthermore, in compliance with global health standards, correct and safe use of crop protection agents as well as good agronomic practices in tobacco production are key to sustainable agriculture,” said the notice.

The notice said ethylene dibromide, which had been widely used for soil fumigation on tobacco will be phased out for use on tobacco at the end of this year due to its highly hazardous properties and potential negative impact on human and environmental health.

There are many alternative nematicides and soil fumigation formulations available for nematode control in tobacco production. Kutsaga is currently evaluating new active ingredients so as to give growers a wide variety to select from.

Farmers are also being advised to refer to the flue-cured tobacco handbook for rates and recommendations, as well as to be aware of the toxicity colour triangle codes.

Any agro-chemical not appearing in the table is either not currently countenanced by the Kutsaga or has been removed from the list of approved agrochemicals based on the provisions of the new pesticide approval scheme service which came into effect on 1 July 2011, continued the notice.

This notice came on the backdrop of an anticipated increase in tobacco production in the 2024-2025 agriculture season buoyed by prospects of a better rainfall season due to La Nina weather pattern and an increase in this year’s average prices.