NEW: Destroy seedbeds or face arrest, tobacco farmers told

Online Reporter

TOBACCO farmers have been directed to destroy seedbeds or face fines or imprisonment of up to two years.

The revised tobacco planting deadline lapsed on January 15 after being pushed back from December 31.

The Plant Pests and Disease Act (Chapter 19:08) makes it mandatory for farmers to destroy all living tobacco plants on seedbeds by December 31.

In a statement on Thursday, Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services acting chief director Mr Leonard Munamati said many tobacco growers must abide by the regulated dates.

“The last date of destroying all tobacco plants in seedbeds was January 15, 2024, and in this case, it passed and farmers need to abide by that,” said Mr Munamati.

Kutsaga’s head of plant health services Dr Cleopas Chinheya said seedbed destruction breaks the cycle of pests.

“Pathogens, such as Potato Virus Y and bushy top virus, are a result of poor management and failure to comply with the regulation dates.

“Clearing seedbeds breaks the life cycle of pests and pathogens and viral transmission from seedbeds or fields,” said Dr Chinheya.

Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe president Mr George Seremwe said farmers must comply with the law for their benefit.

“Complying to the regulated dates does not benefit the enforcers but the farmers. If we let pests and disease carryover on our land, it is us who suffer.

“We always urge our fellow farmers to be responsible in their operations,” he said.