News / National
Farmers ditch burley tobacco for flue-cured tobacco
21 Jul 2013 at 05:30hrs | Views
Demand for burley tobacco seedlings has plummeted as farmers have ditched the crop in favour of the better-rewarding flue-cured tobacco, statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) reveal.
Figures released by TIMB show that only 25 grammes of burley seedlings have been sold so far this month.
"Burley seed sales have decreased to only 25g which does not cover any significant hectarage compared to 865g that was sold same period last year which covered at least 144 hectares," TIMB said.
Farmers' organisations have attributed the decline to poor prices that characterised the flavour's last marketing season. Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers' Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa said the crop was once popular among farmers in the past since it is easy to cure, but falling prices have taken the glitter off it.
"Small-scale farmers used to prefer burley since it is air cured and easy to handle unlike the flue-cured tobacco which has stimulated a lot of debate on deforestation. However, farmers have been turned off by the flavour's perennial marketing challenges. This year the buyer was enjoying a monopoly resulting in poor pricing of as little as US$0,50 per kilogramme. Most farmers are now opting for the flue-cured flavour despite their ecological regions," said Mr Chabikwa.
Zimbabwe Farmers' Union second vice-president Mr Berean Mukwende also shared the same sentiments, but indicated that burley farmers usually delay planting unlike their flue-cured counterparts.
"Poor pricing challenges experienced during this year's burley marketing season could be the major reason why farmers now shun the crop," he said. "However, generally burley farmers delay by a month and I am sure the figures will improve as time goes on. Also, the impending elections have slowed up a lot of things and we are actually glad that at least July 31 is not very far away now. "Contractors have been operating at a slow pace while some farmers are waiting for the elections before they plant." Meanwhile, flue-cured tobacco seed sales have increased to 824 095g this year compared to 626 971g same period last year. The seeds are expected to cover at least 137 349 hectares, up from the 104 495 ha covered last year, a 31,4 percent increase.
Figures released by TIMB show that only 25 grammes of burley seedlings have been sold so far this month.
"Burley seed sales have decreased to only 25g which does not cover any significant hectarage compared to 865g that was sold same period last year which covered at least 144 hectares," TIMB said.
Farmers' organisations have attributed the decline to poor prices that characterised the flavour's last marketing season. Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers' Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa said the crop was once popular among farmers in the past since it is easy to cure, but falling prices have taken the glitter off it.
"Small-scale farmers used to prefer burley since it is air cured and easy to handle unlike the flue-cured tobacco which has stimulated a lot of debate on deforestation. However, farmers have been turned off by the flavour's perennial marketing challenges. This year the buyer was enjoying a monopoly resulting in poor pricing of as little as US$0,50 per kilogramme. Most farmers are now opting for the flue-cured flavour despite their ecological regions," said Mr Chabikwa.
Zimbabwe Farmers' Union second vice-president Mr Berean Mukwende also shared the same sentiments, but indicated that burley farmers usually delay planting unlike their flue-cured counterparts.
"Poor pricing challenges experienced during this year's burley marketing season could be the major reason why farmers now shun the crop," he said. "However, generally burley farmers delay by a month and I am sure the figures will improve as time goes on. Also, the impending elections have slowed up a lot of things and we are actually glad that at least July 31 is not very far away now. "Contractors have been operating at a slow pace while some farmers are waiting for the elections before they plant." Meanwhile, flue-cured tobacco seed sales have increased to 824 095g this year compared to 626 971g same period last year. The seeds are expected to cover at least 137 349 hectares, up from the 104 495 ha covered last year, a 31,4 percent increase.
Source - Sunday Mail
