Tobacco Growers Urged to Observe Proper Practices

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 06/14/2005

TOBACCO farmers have been urged to adhere to accepted and proven methods of growing the crop if they are to achieve the required flavour leaf which fetches high value on the market. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cde Sylvester Nguni, gave the advice during a familiarisation tour of tobacco auction floors in Harare on Wednesday. "We do not just want to grow tobacco in the country, but to grow quality tobacco. But to do that, we have to observe certain practices, which include early planting of seedbeds. "The low prices we had this year are mainly attributed to the poor quality tobacco we produced," he said. Last month, Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono announced a support price of $5 000 per kilogramme for tobacco growers backdated to the first day of the selling season. Cde Nguni said he was pleased with the support extended to tobacco farmers and the progress made so far in that direction, adding that the early disbursement of the loans showed the Government's unflagging commitment to the success of the land reform programme. Some farmers have already begun preparation of land and seedbeds with the tobacco-growing season less than three months away. Seed sales began on May 16 and are expected to contintil September 20. The central bank released $150 billion to farmers for the seedbeds. The amount is being currently disbursed. Enditem