Tobacco farmers in bid to increase output

FARMERS in the Midlands province have started transplanting tobacco seedlings using irrigation ahead of the normal cropping season in a bid to increase output.

Provincial crop and livestock officer, Mrs Madeliner Magwenzi, said those farmers with irrigation facilities mainly in Gweru and Kwekwe districts have gone through thorough training by the Agritex officers and various tobacco training institutions such as TIMB and Tobacco Research Board in order to improve their agronomic practices.

“Irrigation tobacco is now being transplanted and we are urging tobacco growers to apply systemic aphicides and nematicides during the transplanting stage of tobacco to avoid the spread of insect transmitted diseases. We are also monitoring on land preparation, a process which entails ploughing, disking and ridging,” she said.