Online Reporter
Agriculture Reporter
The deadline for the removal of tobacco stalks lapsed on Friday, with authorities urging growers to follow directives to avoid the carry-over of pests and diseases from one season to the other.
This comes as preparations for the 2026/27 tobacco production season have begun.
A Statutory Instrument (19,08) was put in place to curb the spread of tobacco pests by introducing tobacco-free periods every year to break the pests and diseases’ life cycle.
According to the SI, all tobacco stalks in the field should be destroyed before 15 May every year.
This means rendering the tobacco plants incapable of growth.
According to agriculture experts, the tobacco industry can only be sustained through quality tobacco and this can only be achieved by sticking to set legislative dates, meant to protect the farmers from the threat of aphid-transmitted diseases.
“The last day for destroying tobacco stalks is 15 May. Uproot stalks completely and avoid cutting or slashing as this only encourages regrowth that drains soil nutrients.
“All growers are urged to act immediately and adhere to this deadline to break the life cycle of pests and diseases for a more productive upcoming season,” said the TIMB in a notice to farmers.
Failure to destroy the stalks is an offence that attracts a penalty.
For a first offence, a fine not exceeding US$100 or ZiG equivalent for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offence is committed or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
For a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding US$200 or ZiG equivalent for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Tobacco growers are also not expected to sow before 1 June every year and all tobacco seedlings may not be planted out in the field before September 1 every year.
All tobacco curing and handling premises at the farm should be cleaned and be free of tobacco by 31 October every year, while all tobacco plants in the seedbeds must be destroyed before 1 January, every year.
Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Plant Quarantine teams have been moving around enforcing these regulations in all tobacco-growing provinces, while preparations for the 2026/27 tobacco production season have begun, with farmers expected to start sowing seedbeds on 1 June.
“As you prepare for planting, it is important to understand the condition of your soil by conducting soil tests to determine its pH and nutrient levels.
“Soil testing helps identify nutrient imbalances and guides the correct fertiliser type and application rates required for your crop. This enables you to optimise input use, reduce production costs and improve overall crop performance and leaf quality,” TIMB advised farmers.
To ensure the best results this season, farmers were urged to visit specialised laboratories, fertiliser companies, or Government research departments for soil testing before planting their crop.
Tobacco production has been on the increase in recent years, with farmers collectively earning more than US$1 billion.
This season 132 146 farmers registered to grow the crop, with the bulk of them coming from the communal and A1 sectors.
The 2025/26 season has been challenging, with most farmers registering displeasure with the price being offered by buyers.
This has seen the rate of rejections increasing.
However, this challenge is not unique to Zimbabwe – other countries in the region face the same issue.
An oversupply of tobacco on the global market has been identified as the major reason for the unfavourable prices.
derick.khumalo