Patensie Reaches End of an Era in Tobacco

Source from:  By Sipho Masondo 07/03/2006

FLUE-CURED tobacco farming in Patensie has come to an end because of difficulties in the industry, costing farmers more than R4-million in annual turnover. Seven farmers affiliated to the Gamtoos Tobacco Co-operative have decided to exit the fluecured tobacco market following the gradual decline of domestic markets. Worldwide over-production of flue-cured tobacco and exchange rates were the main reasons for their replacing it with other crops, such as potatoes, chicory and cabbages. "Flue-cured tobacco was grown for the very last time during the last tobacco season, so we lost seven farmers," said co-operative manager Folkers Nel. "South African tobacco is very expensive, as we are not subsidised like European farmers. Tobacco manufacturers prefer air-cured to flue-cured tobacco." Nel said the decline of the flue- cure tobacco industry had been a gradual process which began four years ago. "Fortunately no jobs were lost, as the farmers replaced tobacco with other crops." Seven farmers may have left, and many other concerns still abound, but Nel said the 70-year- old Gamtoos Tobacco Co-operative, the only one of its kind in the Eastern and Western Cape, was not going anywhere. Some 25 tobacco-growing farmers belonging to the co-operative are still actively involved in producing air-cured tobacco, mainly for snuff and pipes. "The Gamtoos Valley produces the best air-cured tobacco in South Africa because of its humid climate. South Africa produces the best air-cured tobacco in the world," he said. For the first time in the history of the co-operative, tobacco was exported to Sweden last year. Nel said the co-op would not be exporting this year as the output was not enough for international markets. "But we will be ready for next year," he said. About 150 hectares of land is strictly reserved for tobacco in the farming community of Patensie. Although the crop has decreased dramatically over the years as more farmers decide to use their land for other crops, Nel said it made a huge contribution to the economy of the area. He said at least two people were employed for each hectare. "Last year we made a R5,5-million turnover. Land may be decreasing, but the good thing about air-cured tobacco is that the markets are very stable. "We actually get a slight increase every year. When you plant tobacco, depending on the grade, you know exactly how much you will get at the end of the season," he said. Many of the concerns the farmers now have are about "kromnek" and potato viruses which harm tobacco growth. "We do research and trials to see if we can get better cultivars, and cut the costs of farming the crop, which is very labour-intensive," he said. The tobacco season begins in October and ends towards the end of April. Planting is done between October and December, and the harvesting is done between February and April. "After harvesting, the farmers hang their tobacco and allow it to dry naturally. They then bale it and bring it here. "I evaluate it and determine the prices. We then take it out of the bales and ferment it. After fermentation, we do the final sorting, and then invoice it for manufacturers," he said. Enditem