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Floor 2012 Tobacco Grower of the Year competition.
This year the grand prize went to a company, Oils Essen of Mashonaland East that produced 40 hectares of the crop and sold 114 900 kilogrammes worth $405,618 at an average price of $3,53 per kilogramme.
The company received a tractor.
Mashonaland West Tigere Estates came second winning a roam disc harrow after selling 50 211kg of tobacco worth $209 455 at $4,17 per kilogramme.
The third prize went to Mr Justin Mutasa who sold 38 777 kilogrammes while Mr Tongai Patrick came forth selling 40 680 kilogrammes at $4,15 per kilogramme.
In the medium scale section, Mr Nehemiah Nyamurova came first after selling 31 279 kilogrammes of tobacco worth $119 264 at an average price of $3,812 per kilogramme.
He won a ridger while Mr Emmanuel Gwazo of Mashonaland East won a grinding mill after coming first in the smallscale growers section.
Mr Gwazo sold 16 00 tonnes of tobacco at $3, 63 per kilogramme worth $58 391.
Other winners walked away with water bowsers, flue tubes, harrows, wheelbarrows, tractor-drawn trailers and inputs among other prizes.
Mr Mutasa won a ridger after selling 39 000 kilogrammes of tobacco at an average price of $4,36 per kilogramme.
He produced 14 hectares at his Chinomwe Extension Farm in Raffingora.
Mr Mutasa said 10 hectares were produced under irrigation while the remaining four was dryland.
“I want to encourage farmers to acquire knowledge on tobacco production. Farmers should know their soils and nutritional requirements,” he said.
Mr Mutasa emphasised on the need to carry out soil tests calling on farmers to seek assistance from the Tobacco Research Board. By carrying out soil tests, farmers will be able to know the amount and type of fertiliser to apply in order to get satisfactory results.
“I know my soil. I always apply fertiliser 6;15;12 and this is giving me good results,” he said.
Describing his achievement, Mr Mutasa said this was typical example of empowerment.
“It shows that indigenous people can do it. I am happy and am now ranked among the cream of tobacco producers,” he said.
“It is important to invest in irrigation. I have grown four hectares under dryland and these did not do well when comparing with the 10 hectares under irrigation.”
Mr Mutasa paid tribute to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board for addressing the challenges faced by farmers. He hailed TIMB for addressing issues of congestion, payments and orderly marketing.
“My highest price was $4,99 per kilogramme and the crop was of high quality. The price remained stagnant while the same quality of the crop was fetching a higher price at the contract market,” he said.
Mr Mutasa said he is increasing production this season to grow 20 hectares under irrigation.
The farmer, who already has 85 head of cattle, said he would diversify into other crops and piggery.
Online Reporter