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Cletus Mushanawani Mash Central Bureau
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement will continue to develop appropriate legislation, regulations and policies to facilitate agriculture and agribusiness.

In a speech read on her behalf by the acting director in her office, Mr Admore Shereni, during a Tobacco Health Awareness workshop for traditional leaders in Bindura on Tuesday, Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Monica Mavhunga, called for the enforcement of the Plant Pests and Disease Act.

“Despite the achievements in the tobacco sector, the country has continued to face outbreaks of pests and diseases that threaten the production of the crop and other solanaceous crops. This has mainly been attributed to failure by farmers to adhere to the tobacco planting calendar as stipulated by the Plant Pest and Disease Act. There is an increase in the aphid population and outbreaks of tobacco viruses.

“If these pests are not managed, they have potential negative effects on yields, production costs, livelihood and exports. Crop yields and quality can be reduced significantly if these pests are not well managed,” she said.

Her sentiments come at a time when the Potato Y virus is wreaking havoc in tobacco, potatoes and tomatoes crops across the country.

Said Minister Mavhunga: “The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement is strengthening surveillance, awareness, management and control systems.

“The Tobacco Research Board is carrying out research on these pests, while the Department of Research and Specialist Services and Agritex have been carrying out training and awareness programmes for farmers that provided knowledge of the behaviour of these pests and management options throughout the tobacco growing provinces.”

Minister Mavhunga applauded the strong linkages that exist between farmers and the private sector.