Zimbabwe: Tobacco Board Trains Growers On New Seedling Production Technology

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 3 September 2007 09/04/2007

The Tobacco Research Board has to date trained at least 7 800 farmers on use of float trays to produce tobacco seedlings since the programme started last year, an official said on Thursday. TRB divisional co-ordinator field services, Meanwell Gudu, said at the Harare Agricultural Show that the new technology replaced the conventional method of using methyl bromide, a soil fumigant classified as an ozone depleting substance. Zimbabwe ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1992, which calls for phasing out of methyl bromide by 2015. Zimbabwe has set to completely phase out the substance by 2009. "We have trained 7 800 growers to date and material which covers 11 000ha has been collected," he said, adding that the figure had exceeded the set target of 7 500 farmers. Gudu said the new technology had been well received by most farmers although some were still reluctant to change to the new technology. TRB was conducting training on the use of float trays at auction floors for a period of three hours and at other venues until mid next month, Gudu said. He said farmers get free trays and plastics after the training. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation is funding the programme, and has since approved the second phase of the programme which involves training and supply of material covering 15 000ha. "We took the initiative to approach UNIDO for funding because we realised that entry costs for farmers would be very high," Gudu said. He said material for the second phase of training was expected to arrive in the country soon. Gudu said the new system had many advantages as it did not rely on irrigation hence seedlings would be produced on time. "It also uses few chemicals, less amount of fertilizer, less labour and besides it is environmentally friendly," he said. The floating tray system is a soil-less technology, which uses composted pine bark. The trays are filled with seeds that are enlarged using the peleting method. The trays are then floated in water whose level is checked once or twice a week and increased if necessary. Other tobacco producing countries - Zambia, Brazil and the Unites States - were already phasing out use of methyl bromide and it was important for Zimbabwe to follow suit for its product to remain competitive on the world market, he said. Enditem