Zimbabwe: Timb Holds Tobacco Growing Demo

THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has embarked on a tobacco growing demonstration for small-scale farmers in Buhera District as part of efforts to avert hunger. Buhera does not receive enough rains.

The demonstration is expected to transform the Region Four district, which traditionally has never planted the crop.

The project will see hundreds of villagers benefiting from contract farming, particularly those who cannot afford the inputs.

This was unveiled on Tuesday during a tobacco field day in which Buhera North MP Cde William Mutomba was unveiling his four-and-a-half hectare tobacco field, which he planted as a pilot project.

After successfully planting his tobacco crop, Cde Mutomba then approached TIMB to explore ways in which villagers could be taught tobacco farming and move away from their traditional crops such as maize.

Maize does not produce meaningful yields in the hunger stricken area. Addressing villagers at the legislators' tobacco field, TIMB regional co-ordinator for Manicaland, Mr Emanuel Matsvaire, said imparting tobacco farming knowledge to villagers using a demonstration method was the easiest way that ensured their appreciation.

"We are introducing farmer field school to you. The major advantage it has is that it reduces the learning cycle in that it provides the most practical way of learning. You will replicate whatever you will have seen the experts doing in your field," said Mr Matsvaire.

"It is a hands on exercise, it is very practical. It is the best way of learning unlike taking a person in a classroom for a crash programme."

He said the demonstration exercise was the most effective way of teaching farmers as going into a classroom would entail writing notes and reading, yet some farmers particularly the old might not be able to do this.

He said some villagers will be inspired to grow the crop from their local legislator.

I Mr Matsvaire said he brought along with him a contractor who would help those who could not secure inputs.

He said Boost Africa, the contractor, would give them all the inputs for the crop at a fair price.

Cde Mutomba said he grew tobacco after some individuals had approached him to be a patron of a tobacco growing farming club as they also wanted to try the crop.

"I told them that I will not be your patron but will have to join you in the quest to establish whether tobacco can be successfully planted in Buhera.

"It was just a gamble that I did, anga ari makasi," said Cde Mutomba.

He assured villagers of his support in terms of bringing required technical support such as extension services.

The legislator appealed to villagers to come forward in their thousands to take up the tobacco farming challenge.