Business / Companies
Hailstorm ravages tobacco in Bindura
03 Mar 2021 at 09:19hrs | Views
ELEVEN tobacco farmers are counting their losses after approximately 15hectares of tobacco was ripped off by a hailstorm that hit the farming community of Matepatepa in Bindura over the weekend.
Bindura North Constituency ward 2 councilor Obert Masaka revealed that 11 farmers mostly contracted by tobacco companies, are now plucking off the remains to avert a complete write off adding that some tobacco barn roof tops have also been blown off.
"About 11 contracted tobacco farmers are counting their loses after their tobacco was hit by hailstorm and their barns' roofs were also blown away," Masaka said.
"The farmers are now plucking off the remains to avoid total write off the plant."
He added that 5hectares of maize fields have also been affected.
Last year the Matepatepa area which is an agricultural greenbelt, lost about 20hectares under winter wheat to wild fires.
The 2020-21 farming season has been characterised by increased rainfalls which in some areas has degenerated into destructive storms destroying Bridges and roads among other key infrastructure.
Bindura North Constituency ward 2 councilor Obert Masaka revealed that 11 farmers mostly contracted by tobacco companies, are now plucking off the remains to avert a complete write off adding that some tobacco barn roof tops have also been blown off.
"About 11 contracted tobacco farmers are counting their loses after their tobacco was hit by hailstorm and their barns' roofs were also blown away," Masaka said.
He added that 5hectares of maize fields have also been affected.
Last year the Matepatepa area which is an agricultural greenbelt, lost about 20hectares under winter wheat to wild fires.
The 2020-21 farming season has been characterised by increased rainfalls which in some areas has degenerated into destructive storms destroying Bridges and roads among other key infrastructure.
Source - Byo24News
