Power of golden leaf as vehicle of economic emancipation

Source: Power of golden leaf as vehicle of economic emancipation | The Herald

Elita Chikwati Features Editor

While formal and regular waged employment has always been regarded as the greatest agent of socio-economic transformation, the advent of tobacco farming has easily seen the lives of many smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe transform for the better, thanks to the power of the golden leaf as a vehicle of economic emancipation.

Coming in the wake of the Government’s land reform, tobacco farming literally changed the lives of most of smallholder farmers who ventured into producing the crop, with many readily giving testimonies of how beneficial the crop has been.

Many have sent their children to school, constructed decent houses, while some have acquired farming machinery such as tractors and different pieces of equipment, among a host of other achievements.

Tobacco is one of the lucrative crops raking in foreign currency for both the country and the farmer.

 The crop has earned a strategic position in the economy because of its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and foreign currency earnings.

The organised marketing system and favourable prices have continued to attract new growers who will be expecting hefty earnings from the golden leaf.

 Unfortunately, some farmers end up disappointed after getting low prices for their crop at the auction floors, with others falling prey to middlemen who promise to influence prices.

These growers fail to understand why their counterparts’ crop will be fetching high prices, while their tobacco will fetch low prices.

Growers should have adequate knowledge and skills so they can produce tobacco that is competitive on the market.

Zimbabwe produces six percent of the world tobacco and getting US$1,65 billion at most.

Government has also set a target of increasing production to 300 million kilogrammes per year and transforming the tobacco sector into a US$5 billion industry by 2025 and an additional US$10 billion by 2030.

The country has enough tobacco seed to cater for the next eight years, which is encouraging for a nation that wants to increase production.

According to the Tobacco Research Board, for the crop to achieve its optimum potential yield and quality, proper agronomic practices should be followed from the seedling until the time of marketing the crop.

Profitable production of tobacco depends on effective and sustainable management practices. 

While the TRB has tobacco varieties that may have a yield potential of up to five tonnes per hectare, the national average yield for tobacco production in Zimbabwe remains below two tonnes per hectare.

TRB research officer, Miss Chinaniso Chibudu, said factors affecting yields included poor pest and disease management and non-adherence to cultural and agronomic practices. 

She said a good yield starts from the onset of tobacco production; seedling selection and transplanting.

“Selecting the correct tobacco variety suited to the growing region is very important,” said Miss Chibudu. “Growers should also note that, careful selection of seedlings at transplanting is critical for a good stand.

“An ideal seedling for transplanting should be 10-15 cm in height, pencil thick, well hardened and free from disease infection or insect damage. Any seedlings which are below this standard are subject to transplanting shock and thereby reduce crop stand. 

“Old seedlings (above 90 days) should be avoided as these tend to flower early reducing yield.” 

When transplanting, Miss Chibudu said for dry planting, the field should be pre-irrigated two weeks before planting. 

“It is important to have adequate amount of water in the hole to ensure seedling survival,” she said. “Planting holes should be deep and large enough to accommodate between 3-5 litres of water depending on the amount applicable for a particular field. 

“A prior test to determine the amount to apply is done a day before transplanting by holing out three holes in which 3, 4 and 5, litres are added consecutively. The minimum amount that would have linked-up with the residual moisture 24 hours later would be the ideal amount to use in that particular field.” 

 The other important aspect on tobacco production is fertiliser application.

According to TRB acting chief executive officer Mr Oswell Mharapara, the tobacco plant requires macro-elements such as (nitrogen, phosphorus potassium, magnesium and sulphur) and minor elements such as Boron for improved yields and quality.

These are provided for in compound fertilisers and high analysis.

 Farmers also need to take their soils for testing so they know the correct amounts of basal fertilisers to apply.

“Effective and efficient use of fertilisers depends on soil testing, appropriate selection of nutrient source and efficient placement methods that enhance efficient utilisation of supplied nutrients to increase yield and reduce costs,” he said.

Growers are urged to apply only the amounts required by the crop (established through soil testing), at the right place, right time and right amount.

“Basal fertiliser can be applied using a tractor during ridging or it can be hand-applied as banding on both side of the plant within seven days after planting at about 10 cm from the plant crown and at the rooting zone to avoid fertiliser burn,” Mr Mharapara said.

According to the TRB, tobacco requires adequate nitrogen for reasonable maturing time and leaf curability during its major growth period but with the amount decreasing rapidly from topping time onwards. 

“Sources of nitrogen for side dressings that can be used include ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate,” said Mr Mharapara. 

“As a general guide, for the early ploughed land (up to March) apply 25 kg nitrogen per hectare at 3-4 weeks after planting. For the late ploughed land; from June onwards an 8-ml cup/plant of fertiliser ammonium nitrate should be applied.” 

Weed management and herbicide application are also important during the growth period.

Methods of weed control include hand-weeding or by a combination of chemical, hand or mechanical methods. 

The most efficient way of controlling weeds is herbicide application, however, farmers are urged to understand the label so they do not damage pants in the process.

It must be remembered that herbicides, will only become active in the soil when it is wet by either irrigation or rain. 

Herbicides can be applied at pre-ridging, post-ridging, pre-planting before holing out and at post-planting. Herbicide sprays must be directed towards the base of the crop to avoid direct contact with the apical bud. 

It is recommended that sprays be done early in the morning when there is no wind. 

Topping and Sucker control

If the tobacco crop is not topped on time, this will result in low yield and poor tobacco grades of the cured leaf. 

Topping with normal fertilisation and standard flowering cultivars should be done as soon as the plants attain 18 reapable leaves.

Farmers should also be responsible even after reaping their crop and selling.

 Stalk destruction is one of the important practise in tobacco production.

Removing stalks within the stipulated dates will prevent the establishment and spread of the pests and diseases.

In recent years, there have been a concern over the resurgence of some diseases such as the Potato Virus Y (PVY), an aphid transmitted disease, which is threatening the industry.

The Plant Pests and Disease Act (Chapter 19:08) stipulates that tobacco plants that remain in the field must be destroyed by May 15 every year.

Thus the viability of tobacco production also requires farmers to pay attention to details, the high yields and favourable practices will not come on a silver platter — due diligence has to be followed.