Zimbabwe: Farmers Reluctant to Use Float Trays

Source from:  AllAfrica.com 08/23/2010

Harare - Many small-scale tobacco farmers in Mashonaland West and Central have expressed reluctance to switch to the float tray technology, saying it is labour intensive and poses too many technicalities for the ordinary producer. The farmers say the process of establishing a seedbed using the float tray system is tedious. It begins with search for trays - which are largely only available in Harare - and then construction of the water and tray holding basin. After that they then have to secure the quarry to mix with seed for even distribution. "With the traditional seedbed we just dig up the soil, burn some crop residue over the land in place of fumigants, apply compound fertilizers before planting the seed and covering with grass. "General maintenance of the float trays is challenging, as water must be readily available, which is different with the traditional seedbed that is watered at regular intervals," Mr Vincent Lot of Muhacha Farm in the Trelawney area of Mashonaland West said. Mr Lot said he and 14 other farmers had established traditional seedbeds that can cover 15 hectares when transplanted and would then sell the surplus. They have planted varieties such as T60, T61, T64, T65 and RK26 that they know to be popular with most farmers in the area and beyond. "Last year we generated a lot of money from the sale of seedlings, even to commercial farmers. "We would sell 15 000 plants for US$200, a quantity that is enough to cover a hectare," he added. The situation is also the same in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central where farmers cite similar reasons for sticking to the traditional seedbed. "I will switch to float trays later. "For now I am doing just fine with the old and easy method that I am used to," Mr Nicholas Makoni said. The farmers appear unfazed by the 2011 deadline by which Zimbabwe expects to have phased out the traditional seedbed that involves the use of methyl bromide. The Montreal Protocol, to which Zimbabwe is signatory, seeks to outlaw use of methyl bromide because of its ozone depleting capacity. Under the float tray system, seeds are put in a tray that floats in water, removing the need for methyl bromide. The new technology involves the use of fewer chemicals and in smaller quantities and requires only 20 square metres of land to produce seedlings for a hectare. This compares to 100 square metres per hectare with the conventional seedbed. Government is implementing the float tray programme in partnership with the Tobacco Research Board and with sponsorship from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management, undertook to phase out the use of methyl bromide in tobacco production. This will enable Zimbabwe to fulfill its Montreal Protocol obligations ahead of that agreement's 2015 deadline. Enditem