Harare, (New Ziana) – In a move aimed at supporting tobacco growers affected by a delayed rain season, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has announced a revision to the tobacco stalk and root destruction deadline for the 2024/2025 season.
In accordance with the Plant Pests and Diseases (Tobacco) Regulations of 1979, under Statutory Instrument 711/1979, the traditional deadline for the destruction of all living tobacco plants in the field is the 15th of May each year.
However, due to a late start to the 2024/25 growing season, the ministry extended the transplanting window to January 10, 2025, allowing rain-fed tobacco farmers more time to plant.
Following this adjustment, the Ministry has now officially extended the destruction date for this season only.
“As all tobacco growers and landowners are aware, the last day for destroying all living tobacco plants in the field is stipulated as the 15th of May every year.
The Ministry in January 2025 extended field transplanting of tobacco by 10 days to 10th of January 2025 due to the late start of the season as many growers of rain-fed tobacco had not managed to transplant their seedlings by the stipulated seedling destruction date of 31 December 2024,” said the minister of Lands, agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development, Dr Anxious Masuka in a statement.
For all tobacco types, excluding oriental varieties, the new deadline for destroying stalks and roots has been set for June 5, 2025.
The minister emphasized that the extension is a one-time adjustment and urged growers to comply with all other regulatory dates to minimize the risk of pest and disease carryover.
Growers who anticipate challenges in meeting the new destruction deadline, said Masuka are encouraged to seek a formal extension with requests being submitted in writing to the Chief Director of the National Plant Protection Organization of Zimbabwe before June 5.
Strict penalties remain in place for non-compliance. Offenders face fines of up to US$100 per hectare for a first offence, or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. Repeat offences can attract fines up to US$200 per hectare, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
The Ministry reiterated that these regulations are vital to safeguard Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry by preventing the spread of diseases and pests from one season to the next.
For further details, growers have been advised to consult their local agricultural extension officers or the ministry’s official social media channels.
