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Category: Agriculture & Sustainability

  • Study: Controlling Mildew, Improving Tobacco Storage

    Study: Controlling Mildew, Improving Tobacco Storage

    Tobacco mildew is a common fungal disease of great economic importance as it causes leaf rot during tobacco storage, seriously impacting the yield and quality of tobacco. Scientists from the College of Tobacco Science at Henan Agricultural University in China led a study that investigated the inhibitory effect of endophytic bacteria on fungal pathogens as it pertains to tobacco mildew biocontrol and identified bacterial biocontrol resources for controlling tobacco mildew and improving tobacco quality.

    In the study, three strains of dominant tobacco mildew pathogens were isolated from the surface of diseased tobacco leaves and used as pathogens to select five antagonistic bacterial strains with good inhibitory effects against tobacco mildew disease.

    The results revealed that the antagonistic mechanism of ZH-2 against pathogens was the production of cell wall hydrolases. Fermentation results showed that strain ZH-2 affected the chemical composition and improved the volatile flavor content and quality of tobacco leaves. Therefore, strain ZH-2 can be used as a potential biocontrol agent for the control of tobacco mildew disease and the improvement of tobacco quality during storage.

  • Tanzanian Tobacco Growing

    Tanzanian Tobacco Growing

    Tobacco is Tanzania’s top export for the second straight year, totaling $517.1 million in 2024, up from its previous record of $340.4 million in 2023, according to the Bank of Tanzania. Tobacco passed traditional “king” crops cashew nuts and tobacco two years ago and now accounts for more than a third of the country’s agricultural exports, as Tanzania becomes Africa’s second-largest tobacco producer behind only Zimbabwe.

    With heavy support from the government — providing significant subsidies, working with leaf companies to purchase the crop, and investing in tobacco processing infrastructure — Tanzania’s market is expected to continue its growth, projected to produce $667.9 million in 2025 and continue growing at an annual rate of 3.44% until it reaches $764.8 million in 2029.

    Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe has emphasized the importance of fair practices within the local tobacco industry. The government has initiated crackdowns on exploitative practices by cooperative leaders to ensure that farmers receive equitable compensation for their produce. There is also a $300 million cigarette factory being constructed in Morogoro to enhance the nation’s processing capacity and ensure the farmers always have a viable market.

  • NC Tobacco Growers to Vote on Assessment

    NC Tobacco Growers to Vote on Assessment

    North Carolina tobacco growers will decide this month whether to continue assessing themselves to support export promotion. It was announced today (February 11) that a referendum will take place February 19 at the Johnston County Agricultural Building, in Smithfield.

    For years, growers of flue-cured tobacco have assessed themselves to fund Tobacco Associates Inc., which seeks to promote and expand the export of U.S. leaf. If farmers approve the assessment, it will be no more than one-fifth of one cent per pound. The assessment would continue until the next vote in 2029.

  • PTB Dissolution Hurts Farmers, Opens Illicit Market

    PTB Dissolution Hurts Farmers, Opens Illicit Market

    The Pakistani government’s decision to dissolve the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) and hand over the regulatory authority to provincial governments has sparked months of controversy, and will likely have severe economic, social, and regulatory consequences, said Osama Siddiqui, a macroeconomic expert.

    “The PTB has played a pivotal role in regulating tobacco production and the industry under a centralized system that benefits all stakeholders, including farmers and the legal tobacco sector,” Siddiqui said.

    He added that the dismantling of the system could lead to a surge in illegal tobacco cultivation and sales, which would undermine the legal industry. One of the PTB’s critical contributions has been ensuring fair prices for tobacco farmers, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), where the majority of Pakistan’s tobacco is produced. By maintaining a balance between supply and demand, the PTB has safeguarded farmers’ interests, providing them with a stable income.

    The expert fears that provincial governments lack the capacity to manage this responsibility effectively. Without the PTB’s oversight, the farmers could face financial hardships due to falling prices and market instability. A decline in tobacco production will deprive the farmers of their livelihoods and leave them vulnerable to exploitation.

    The PTB’s centralized regulation has also fueled growth in tobacco exports, which increased from $42 million in 2019-20 to $108 million by the end of 2024. Additionally, legal tobacco sales have made a substantial contribution to the national treasury by generating Rs237 billion ($853 million) in revenue through the federal excise duty and sales tax.

  • Zimbabwe farmers nearing shisha tobacco target

    Zimbabwe farmers nearing shisha tobacco target

     Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe’s chief executive officer, Dr. Rebecca Manford, welcomed the government’s extension of the seedbed destruction date to January 15, saying it would allow more farmers to continue transplanting as the nation approaches its shisha tobacco target.

     “For the 2024-25 season, the target is 514 hectares, and so far, 450 have been planted, making the set goal achievable,” Manford said. “Cavendish Lloyd has contracted 149 growers to produce a target yield of 775,000 kilograms, and with the ongoing support to farmers, we are optimistic of achieving this goal while ensuring a high-quality crop.”

    Now in its third year in production in Zimbabwe, Manford said the nation could become a significant player in the global shisha tobacco market with the crop driving economic growth and farmer empowerment. For this to happen, the farmers need the government to continue with its incentives which include expanding irrigation infrastructure, helping secure new export markets, and investing in research to develop high-yielding varieties, as well as subsidized inputs, loans, or grants. Cavendish Lloyd is currently the only registered and licensed shisha merchant by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

    Statistics from TIMB show commercial shisha production rose from 110 hectares in 2022-23 to 407 hectares in 2023-24, totaling nearly 400,000 kilograms worth US$1.3 million.

    Prolonged dry spells and insufficient irrigation facilities made farmers hesitant to jump into full-scale production, however, recent rains have made a positive impact on the crop. Cavendish Lloyd has begun an awareness campaign to attract more growers, that includes technical training and engagement with stakeholders to promote sustainable production solutions.

  • India Faces EU Sustainability Hurdles

    India Faces EU Sustainability Hurdles

    India has become the world’s largest tobacco exporter, with shipments worth $1.2 billion in FY 2023-24—a 19.46% increase from the previous year. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that tobacco exports, including unmanufactured tobacco and processed products, reached a record-breaking ₹12,005.8 crore ($1.5 billion). However, the industry faces mounting challenges as stringent European Union (EU) sustainability standards loom.

    The EU, a key importer of Indian tobacco, is set to enforce regulations under frameworks like the European Green Deal and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism by 2026, with full implementation by 2030. These measures aim to ensure sustainability, climate neutrality, and transparency. Experts warn that nearly 50-60% of India’s farm exports, including tobacco, could be impacted due to gaps in technology, training, and resources needed to comply with the EU’s rigorous standards.

    Indian farmers, many of whom are unaware of the impending changes, rely heavily on guidance from the Tobacco Board and the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI). While efforts like promoting organic farming and reducing pesticide use are underway, the industry has yet to develop a comprehensive action plan. Tobacco Board Chairman Yashwant Kumar Chidipothu stresses the need for a gradual transition to meet global standards without jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of farmers dependent on tobacco cultivation.

    As Europe tightens regulations, experts warn of potential domestic market disruptions, including declining export prices and increased local tobacco consumption. With time running out, the industry must navigate a delicate balance between sustainability and economic survival to retain its position in the global market.

  • Optimism High as Zimbabwe Tobacco Harvest Begins Despite Weather Challenges

    Optimism High as Zimbabwe Tobacco Harvest Begins Despite Weather Challenges

    The early harvesting of Zimbabwe’s tobacco crop is underway, with farmers optimistic about achieving the annual target of 300 million kilograms despite earlier setbacks. Edward Dune, president of the Tobacco Farmers Union Trust, reported that most irrigated farms have started reaping, although recent heatwaves have compromised leaf weight in some areas. Encouraged by the December rains, small-scale farmers are still planting, and Dune anticipates an early start to the marketing season if favorable weather continues. The influx of labor to tobacco farms, particularly in arid regions like Binga and Muzarabani, reflects the sector’s importance for local livelihoods.

    To support farmers, the government has extended the deadline for seedbed destruction to January 15, 2025, following a recommendation by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB). The extension, prompted by delayed rains and transplanting, allows growers to maximize their efforts amidst challenging conditions. With 84,661 hectares transplanted as of late December—exceeding last year’s figure—TIMB is optimistic about the industry’s growth and resilience. Efforts to ensure high-quality tobacco, proper handling, and competitive pricing remain priorities as TIMB prepares for a crop assessment exercise in January to evaluate the main dryland crop’s progress.

  • Pakistani Farmers Plan Protests Over Quota Cuts

    Pakistani Farmers Plan Protests Over Quota Cuts

    Tobacco growers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have announced a protest campaign against the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) and purchasing companies, accusing them of favoring corporate interests and exploiting farmers. During a meeting led by Tehreek-e-Ittehad Kashtkaran Pakhtunkhwa (TIKP), leaders outlined a phased protest strategy, including public rallies in key tobacco-producing districts and sit-ins outside the PTB in Peshawar, Parliament House, and federal government offices in Islamabad. The growers are protesting a 14.2% reduction in the tobacco quota for 2024, claiming it was announced too late for them to adjust their planting decisions.

    The leaders demanded timely quota announcements, curbs on the smuggling of foreign cigarettes, and increased government support for tobacco exports to boost revenue and benefit farmers. They also criticized the lack of investment in tobacco-producing regions, despite legal obligations for companies to allocate 6% of profits to local development. Additionally, they called for the abolition of the contractual employment system in the tobacco sector and the removal of advance taxes on re-dried tobacco to improve growers’ livelihoods and ensure fair labor practices.

  • TIMB Extends Seedbed Destruction Deadline Amid Delayed Rains

    TIMB Extends Seedbed Destruction Deadline Amid Delayed Rains

    In Zimbabwe, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has extended the deadline for destroying tobacco seedbeds for the 2024/25 season to January 15, 2025, citing delays caused by a slow start to the rainy season. Under the Plant Pests and Diseases (Tobacco) Regulations of 1979, seedbeds were initially required to be destroyed by December 31 to prevent pest and disease cycles. However, the prolonged dry spell and insufficient water resources delayed transplanting, prompting the extension to protect farmers’ investments and enable them to recover from the challenging conditions.

    Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s second-largest foreign currency earner, primarily cultivated by smallholder farmers. Despite adverse conditions caused by an El Niño-induced drought in 2023/24, the industry showed resilience, with 236 million kilograms produced and an increase in registered growers and transplanted hectares by the end of 2024. TIMB has set a target of 300 million kilograms for the upcoming season, urging growers to adopt climate-smart practices such as efficient water management and weed control to mitigate the effects of erratic weather. The recent rains have renewed optimism for the season’s success.

  • Zimbabwe to Phase Out Ethylene Dibromide

    Zimbabwe to Phase Out Ethylene Dibromide

    The Kutsaga Tobacco Research Center in Zimbabwe announced the phaseout of ethylene dibromide (EDB) effective Dec. 31.

    In a notice to the industry, Kutsaga said the measure was necessary to ensure that the country’s leaf tobacco meets international standards. More than 90 percent of Zimbabwe’s tobacco crop is exported.

    “No person shall treat any tobacco with a remedy which is not registered nor reap of offer for sale any tobacco treated with nonregistered remedy,” the notice read. “Furthermore, any tobacco so treated will be destroyed without compensation to the grower.”

    Zimbabwean tobacco farmers have used the agrochemical for soil fumigation for many years. According to Kutsaga, there are several alternative nematicides and soil formulations available for nematode control. The research station is also evaluating new active ingredients.

    EDB joins a growing list of banned fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides and insecticides in Zimbabwe. Other prohibited chemicals include benomyl, butralin and alachlor.

    The agrochemical’s discontinuation notice comes as the Zimbabwean tobacco sector anticipates record-breaking tobacco yields for the 2024–2025 growing season, thanks to heightened prospects of good rainfalls due to the La Nina weather phenomenon.