Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
Tobaccos seed sales for the forthcoming season have eclipsed last year’s by 12 percent, at the same stage of the year, as preparations for the 2025/2026 tobacco season gather steam.
Most farmers with irrigation facilities have sown their seedbeds while those without irrigation are expected to have finished by August 1.
This development comes amid growing calls for farmers to use float tray systems for seedling establishment, as the technology does not require much water and is not labour intensive.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics, as at July 4, farmers had bought 695 820 grammes of seed, equivalent to 139 164 hectares of tobacco.
This is an increase of 12 percent from the 622 501 grammes equivalent to 124 500 hectares.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president, Mr George Seremwe said preparations had started well with most of the irrigated seedbeds having been established.
“We hope that by August all the dryland seedbeds will have been established. Farmers are geared and the next season looks promising.
“We, however, have challenges of limited water availability and thereby encourage farmers to use the float tray system, which requires less water and less labour to establish seedbeds. We hope Kutsaga Research, who are the sole suppliers of the trays, will ensure they are accessible and affordable,” he said.
He said there should be mechanisms to ensure farmers can get the float trays and pay through the stop order system.
Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president Mr Edward Dune said most farmers were concentrating on seedbed management and fumigation for the dryland crop.
“Some farmers are also busy with land preparations while others are experiencing challenges with tillage services.
“Tractors are limited and charges are steep for both wet and dry rates.
“It has not been easy for some farmers to shift from the conventional seedbeds to the float trays, which are more environmentally friendly.
“Adoption could improve if farmers could access the float trays in their farming areas,” he said.
He said farmers were willing to grow tobacco motivated by favourable prices.
“For tobacco, our issue remains on the value chain.
“If we had the US$1 billion to ourselves, I am sure by now as farmers we would have started processing the crop,” he said.
TIMB public affairs officer, Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe said while the initial cost of float trays appeared expensive, the trays were a long-term investment, with a lifespan of up to five years under proper use and care.
“TIMB field officers are actively involved in farmer education and training on the effective use and management of float trays.
“These extension services are rolled out in various regions to ensure farmers get practical knowledge.
“Promoting the use of float trays aligns with TIMB’s sustainability agenda by encouraging practices that reduce environmental impact and promote responsible tobacco production. Float trays can be bought at Kutsaga Research offices in tobacco growing regions such as Mvurwi, Bindura, Chinhoyi and Karoi,” she said.
