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Fortunate Gora Correspondent
SOME tobacco farmers in Mashonaland West Province have not cleared their stalks more than a month after the May 15 deadline, raising fears of the spread of pests and diseases.

Farmers are required, in terms of the Plant Pest and Diseases Act (Chapter 19.08), to clear tobacco stalks which act as hosts for diseases and pests like nematodes and spiders.

The early and complete destruction of tobacco stalks is effective in reducing the carry over of diseases and pests.

In an interview, the Mashonaland West Provincial Agritex officer Mrs Edinah Shambare said some farmers in Hurungwe, Makonde and Zvimba have not yet cleared their tobacco stalks.

“To prevent the spread of diseases and pests in tobacco, there is need for farmers to adhere to legislation and destroy tobacco stalks both in the seedbed and in the field before the stipulated dates,” she said.

The Plant Pests and Disease Act(Chapter 19.08) stipulates that tobacco seed may not be sown before June 1 and should not be planted in the field before September 1 as a way of managing pests and diseases.

It also states that tobacco stalks in the field should be destroyed before May 15 each year and plants in seedbeds should be destroyed before January 1 every year.

Mrs Shambare said insects are known to be the main vectors transmitting viruses during their feeding from one crop to another and from one season to another.

She said depriving the insect vectors of their host (tobacco) was the most effective way of controlling the multiplication of vectors.

She said farmers should take advantage of the stalk destruction cultural control measure, which was the cheapest method which does not require money.

Farmers, she said, should clear the stalks soon after reaping and allow them to dry before burning the residue at the centre of the field to avoid outbreak of fire.

Some tobacco crop was affected by the incurable Potato Virus Y in Mashonaland Central, East and West provinces in the 2017/ 2018 season due to improper farming practices.

Tobacco growers who fail to comply can be reported to the Department of Research and Specialist Services’ Plant Quarantine Services Institute (PQSI,), AGRITEX, Tobacco Research Board (TRB) or Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

Such farmers are liable to pay a fine of $100 for each hectare or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both fine and imprisonment.