Zimbabwe: Board Enhancing Tobacco Output

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 10/17/2006

RESEARCH is an important part of all sectors of the economy and tobacco is no exception despite the growing global anti-smoking lobby. In Zimbabwe, tobacco is a strategic crop and the Tobacco Research Board with its headquarters at Kutsaga station is the country's leading research institution on all aspects pertaining to tobacco through the generation of knowledge, information and technology to help local tobacco farmers to maximise their yield at low cost. The TRB was set up as an independent statutory body in 1950. Its main objective was to enhance commercial tobacco output by undertaking research into all aspects pertaining to production and marketing. The board is the main force behind the country's tobacco sector which has so far managed to produce more than 53,4 million kilogrammes worth more than US$107,4 million this year compared to 57,8 million kilogrammes worth US$92,4 million produced last year. Dr Anxious Masuka, the TRB general manager said his organisation has, over the years, scored major achievements despite the financial constraints and the flight of skilled personnel. Some of the major achievements of scientific research by the TRB include the remarkable yield improvement through variety development from 700-800kg/ha to 4 800kg/ha, general improved crop management resulting in better understanding of changing aspects of the weather and the interaction of tobacco and the environment. Work by the TRB has also led to the development of practical integrated and cost effective control of major pests and diseases that affect tobacco and the development and retention of unique and desired quality characteristics in flue-cured tobacco. "More than 30 varieties have been developed by the TRB over the years," said Dr Masuka. "The majority of these have been in flue-cured while some are barley." Some of the major scientific breakthroughs made by the board include the development and increasing use of male-sterile hybrids (seed taken from current TRB varieties that cannot germinate thus protecting its varieties), breeding of varieties with resistance to more than eight diseases and in the incorporation of root knot nematode resistance in modern burley and flue-cured varieties. In 2002, TRB developed a new tobacco seed variety code named the Banket BRK3, the root knot resistant variety, which grows fast in seedbeds and in the field, matures quickly and ripens fast enabling stalk cutting to be done without extended delay. This variety also cures uniformly adding to the quality of the crop. In the past, the TRB developed relatively inexpensive methods of controlling nitrogen on fertile soils by land preparation techniques and other reaping and curing techniques to maximise quality. The board has managed to phase out the use of methyl bromide in tobacco production. The chemical depletes the ozone layer and under the Montreal Protocol, methyl bromide should be totally phased out by 2009. TRB is now using the float tray system to produce tobacco seedlings which is environmentally friendly and adds to the country's competitive edge for the quality of its tobacco crop penetrating the sensitive markets in rich countries. The TRB has geared itself to meet new challenges through a commercialisation strategy, diversification of its income base, rationalising and refocusing research and development programmes as well as providing extension advice to farmers in the short term to help the country to increase its tobacco production levels. It has expanded its services apart from research in plant breeding, crop production and protection and molecular biology to include seed production -- tobacco, potato and grass, tissue culture, tobacco seedlings and float trays for nursery requirements. Other services now provided by the TRB include plant disease diagnosis and provision of management options, genetic modified organism (GMO) screening services, chemical analysis, pesticide residue analysis, microbial analysis, advisory services as well as contract research. Economy, Business and Finance "The major challenges facing the TRB are financial in the face of declining revenue arising from reduced crop output," said Dr Masuka. This, he said, impacts negatively on the sustainability of research and the need to provide increased technical advice to a larger number of new farmers who are the beneficiaries of the land reform programme. To operate efficiently, the TRB needs a levy from at least 185-190 million kilogrammes of tobacco sold annually.