Zimbabwe: Tobacco Farmers Begin Planting

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 09/23/2004

Most tobacco farmers are now in the middle of either planting or preparing their fields but said they are facing an acute shortage of diesel and tillage services, less than two weeks before the planting deadline. A survey by The Herald in some farming areas around Harare revealed that some farmers were still preparing their land while others were planting the crop. At Rukoba Farm along the Harare-Banket Road, workers were in the process of planting tobacco seedlings as they had finished land preparations. A manager at the farm, Mr William Chipendo said he started planting on September 14. "We have so far planted 10 hectares of the 35 hectares set for irrigation and we expect to be through by Friday next week," he said. He said they were not experiencing problems of tillage services or diesel but their major drawback was power cuts. "We fully prepared ourselves for the season, our seeds are enough and we have stocked everything basically that is needed in the season from chemicals to fertilisers. "However, we are facing problems of powercuts. Right now there is no electricity and the water pumps are not working. "In a situation like this we have to use bowsers to take water from a nearby river and this delays our planting," he said. Mr Joseph Gwanzura of Gwari Farm said the shortage of tillage services, fuel and labour were affecting him. "I should have finished preparing the land about two weeks ago but I am facing problems with acquiring diesel of which we already paid the money to Arex. "I only have one tractor to make ridges and this delays in the planting of the tobacco seedlings. We greatly need help in services like tractors and money to buy chemicals like fenvalerate which is used when planting to kill cutworms," he said. At Nagenoeg Farm, they were also facing problems of tillage services and diesel. The planting season should have been at an advanced stage to meet the Government target of above 200 million kilogrammes of tobacco this season. The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, last week announced a new financial support scheme for tobacco cropping for 2004/2005 season. Under this scheme the Government will make direct payments to suppliers of inputs. Enditem