Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
KUTSAGA Tobacco Research Centre has announced the phasing out of Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) in tobacco production with effect from December 31, citing its highly hazardous properties and potential negative impact on human and environmental health.
In a notice to tobacco growers, contractors, merchants and agro-chemical companies, Kutsaga said the move was necessary, as it ensured that the country’s tobacco meets international standards, hence the need stop the use of banned agro-chemicals forthwith.
“No person shall treat any tobacco with a remedy which is not registered nor reap or offer for sale any tobacco treated with a non-registered remedy. Furthermore, any tobacco so treated will be destroyed without compensation to the grower,” read the notice.
EDB has been widely used for soil fumigation in tobacco farming for many years and its use will be phased out at the end of December 2024. There are, however, several alternative nematicides and soil fumigation formulations available for nematode control.
Kutsaga said new active ingredients were currently being evaluated to give growers a wide variety to select from.
A list of 15 fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, insecticides, nematicides and suckercides have been banned. These include benomyl, butralin, alachlor, dimethenamid, metolachlor, trifluralin, acephate, chlorpyrifos, fenvalerate, methamidophos, methomyl, monocrotophos, thiodicarb, aldicarb and pendimenthalin.
The list of approved agro-chemicals bears both the chemical and trade names of the products, company distributor, old and new certificate number, as well as the expiry date with October 18, 2027 being the last expiry date for sanctioned chemicals.
The list also includes fungicides, herbicides, suckericides, growth regulators and fertilisers, insecticides and nematicides.
The Tobacco Research Board as mandated by the Tobacco Marketing and Levy Act [Chapter 18:20] continually tests, approves and monitors all crop protection agents (CPAs) for use on tobacco under the pesticide approval scheme service (PASS).
This legislation has been used to destroy tobacco in the field or offered for sale where the regulations are infringed.
“As over 90 percent of Zimbabwe’s tobacco crop is exported, therefore it must meet stringent international agro-chemical regulations for acceptance and maintenance of markets, especially in an increasingly competitive global market.
“Furthermore, compliance with global health standards, correct and safe use of crop protection agents as well as good agronomic practices in tobacco production are key to sustainable agriculture,” Kutsaga further explained.
Agro-chemicals not appearing in the table are either not currently countenanced by Kutsaga or have been removed from the list of approved agrochemicals based on the provisions of the PASS, which came into effect in 2011.
Kutsaga also encouraged farmers to refer to the flue-cured tobacco handbook for rates and recommendations and also be aware of the toxicity colour triangle codes.
The EDB discontinuation notice comes on the backdrop of projected record-breaking tobacco yields for the 2024/25 agriculture season, thanks to heightened prospects of a good rainfall season due to the forecast La Nina weather phenomenon and the increase in average prices in the 2024 marketing
