In its quest to improve productivity of Tobacco in Zimbabwe, the Tobacco Research Board has engaged Agritex in training farmers on the importation aspect of tobacco production, CEOAFRICA.com gathered from Harare.

According to TRB acting assistant general manager (Research and Extension) Dr. Susan Dimbi made it known that the training will commence next week for Agritex, contractor agronomists and individual growers involved in tobacco production.

She said it was the institution’s mandate to provide practical advice and assistance to growers to improve management of the crop and increase grower returns.

“This mandate extends to working closely with Agritex tobacco specialists and other individual growers involved in tobacco culture. Agritex officers are regularly trained and equipped with calendar-based information on tobacco best management practices,” She said

Furthermore, she added,”Information is better able to reach growers if the individuals who interact with them on a daily basis are better informed and knowledgeable on current research findings and work being undertaken.”

As disclosed by sources, topics to be covered during the trainings are the selection of the correct tobacco variety for specific areas, alternative chemicals to be used in seedling production (post methyl bromide) and current research on alternative field chemicals that destroy nematodes.

In her address, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairperson Mrs Monica Chinamasa advised tobacco growers to reduce losses by establishing manageable hectarages aiming to pproduce higher yield and quality.

A statement credited to her states, “The dynamics and requirements of our major export markets are changing. We are aware that they now prefer clean leaf of good maturity and quality of the upper stalk. Therefore, it is imperative for the growers to improve the quality of their offerings in order to get higher prices and to remain viable,” she said