Zimbabwe: Dora Dombo Embarks on Tobacco Farming Venture

Source from:  Manica Post  02/21/2014

THE growing of tobacco has spread to Dora Dombo, a few kilometres outside Mutare urban, where more farmers are taking up the lucrative venture.

Speaking at a tobacco field day at Matika Village recently, Agritex officer Mrs Joyleen Ndirowei Nenohwe said tobacco farming in Ward 5 was first initiated by five tobacco farmers in 2012, but the figure had since grown to 30 this farming season.

This has also corresponded with the increase of hectrage put under tobacco from five hectares planted in 2012 to the current 22ha.

The host to the field day, Mr Aaron Kanyenze, said that he was inspired to take up tobacco farming by his son whose lifestyle transformed after selling his tobacco crop last year.

"I am humbled by the attendance of other farmers who have come to witness my work. I promise to do even better in the new farming season," he said.

He said tobacco farming was for farmers who are prepared to work hard so that their crop would not be affected by various diseases which affect the crop.

Both farmers and visitors who attended the field day were impressed by Mr Kanyenze's achievement starting from land preparation, seed bed establishment, transplanting and nurturing the crop.

A rocket/tsotso barn type which uses very little firewood when curing tobacco, especially in view of dwindling forests in most communal areas, caught the eyes of many visitors who were urged to construct the same type of barns at their respective homes.

Agritex officers urged would-be tobacco farmers to make all required inputs ready before embarking on growing the crop, avoiding losses of potential yields from good management of the crop.

Farmers were urged to grow a bit of maize for family consumption in addition to tobacco as a cash crop.

On the other hand, the son who inspired his father to be a tobacco farmer, Aaron, has put 5ha of tobacco this season.

He is expecting to deliver between 100 and 120 bales of quality tobacco to auction floors this season, while he is eager to increase the crop next year.

Mr Kanyenze has 6ha under maize and at the same time busy harvesting gum trees for the curing of the crop.

He intends to plant 1 200 gum trees to the existing plantation at his homestead.

He is assisted by his wife Caroline, her two permanent workers and hired casuals during peak periods in his farming activities.

Tobacco farmers were also urged to establish gum tree plantations to sustain their increased practices which are reportedly gaining momentum in the area. Enditem