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Fortunate Gora Mashonaland West Correspondent
ERRATIC rains being experienced in most parts of Mashonaland West Province have affected planting of the dry land tobacco crop.

Seed beds planted in anticipation of the rains have been affected by the dry weather conditions ahead of transplanting. At least 23 028 hectares have been planted so far under dry land, while 3 442ha is being irrigated. Mashonaland West Provincial Agritex officer Mrs Edna Shambare said more farmers were expected to plant the golden leaf despite the rainfall delays.

“Poor rainfall distribution being experienced at the moment has disturbed the planting of the tobacco crop, but we are anticipating more planting to take place,” she said.

Mr Togarepi Kafinya, an A1 farmer in Makonde area, said the erratic rains disturbed his tobacco crop, which is likely to have a negative effect on the yield.

“I planted my seedlings early November and in this area we only received light showers,” he said. “The rains so far are not adequate and I am afraid that it might affect yields this year.”

More people are still registering with the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) to grow the crop. Late registration attracts a penalty fee of $10. Mashonaland West Province has so far registered a 24 percent increase in the number of tobacco growers for the 2017-2018 summer cropping season.

At least 33 022 tobacco farmers have been registered so far compared to 26 531 growers during the same period last year. Of those registered 1 415 are small scale farmers, 1 991 (A2 farmers), 9 066 (A1 farmers) and 20 550 are communal farmers in the province.

The province has registered an 87 percent increase in the number of new growers with 9 764 registering for the 2017-2018 summer season compared to 5 209 last year.