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Elton Manguwo
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will take strong action against farmers who are yet to destroy tobacco stalks, even after the May 15 deadline to eradicate disease transmission between seasons.
TIMB public affairs manager Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe said in partnership with Plant Quarantine Services Institute, the board would take legal action against those who failed to comply with the destruction of tobacco stalks.
“The Plant Pests and Disease Act makes it mandatory for farmers to destroy all living tobacco plants as failure to do so would attract a fine,” said Mrs Tsarwe. First-time offenders were subject to a fine of up to US$100 per hectare or portion thereof found with stalks or even imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
If the offence was committed again, both the fine and the jail time are increased.
Most tobacco growers adhered to the stipulated deadline for destroying their tobacco plant stalks at the end of the growing season.
“However, a minority of growers were unable to fully complete the required complete destruction process and instead only slashed or cut down the stalks rather than fully uprooting them,” said Mrs Tsarwe.
“The failure of some farmers to fully uproot and destroy the tobacco stalks, as required, has allowed the plants to regenerate and continue growing.
“This regrowth presents problems for tobacco production as the reappearing plants can compete with newly planted crops, spread disease and generally create unwanted growth that needs to be managed,” said Mrs Tsarwe.
Leaving tobacco stalks in the fields after harvesting provided a breeding ground for pests and disease-causing organisms which could then spread to other crops and affect the quality and yields.
Tobacco stalks were a host for diseases and pests like nematodes and spider mites. Destroying them starved the pests of food breaking their life cycles in the process which helped reduce the risk of carrying them and diseases over to the next crop.
Online Reporter