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Harare Bureau
THE Tobacco Research Board (TRB) has engaged Agritex in training farmers on the important aspects of tobacco production. This is meant to improve the quality of the tobacco produced by farmers so that it suits the international market requirements. TRB acting assistant general manager-research and extension, Dr Susan Dimbi, said the TRB would next week conduct training for Agritex, contractor agronomists and individual growers involved in tobacco production.

She said it was the institution’s mandate to provide practical advice and assistance to growers to improve management of the crop and increase grower returns.

“This mandate extends to working closely with Agritex tobacco specialists and other individual growers involved in tobacco culture. Agritex officers are regularly trained and equipped with calendar-based information on tobacco best management practices.

“Information is better able to reach growers if the individuals who interact with them on a daily basis are better informed and knowledgeable on current research findings and work being undertaken,” she said.

TRB is also willing to train tobacco contactors’ agronomists. Dr Dimbi said among the topics to be covered during the training are the selection of the correct tobacco variety for specific areas, alternative chemicals to be used in seedling production (post methyl bromide) and current research on alternative field chemicals that destroy nematodes.

Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairperson, Mrs Monica Chinamasa, recently advised growers to reduce losses by establishing manageable hectarages aiming to produce higher yield and quality.