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Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development has reviewed the date of the tobacco seedlings’ destruction for the 2023-24 season intending to curb the carryover of diseases and pests.
“As all tobacco growers are aware, the last day of destroying all seedbeds for this season is 31 December 2023. However, due to the late commencement of the season, many growers of rain-fed tobacco will not be able to transplant their seedlings by the seedling destruction deadline of 31 December 2023.
“Pursuant to the above, I have, in terms of Section 5(1) of the Plant Pests and Diseases (Tobacco) Regulations, 1979, made the following variation to the tobacco seedlings destruction date for 2023-24 season only. The last date for destroying all tobacco plants in seedbeds shall be 15 January 2024, in the case of plants of a type other than oriental. All tobacco growers are required to adhere to all other legislated dates to prevent the carryover of diseases and pests,” Dr. Masuka said.
Dr. Masuka warned that the contravention of regulations requiring the destruction of tobacco plants by a specified date or prohibiting the planting of tobacco plants between specified dates will have drastic consequences.
For first offenders, there will be a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
For a second or subsequent conviction, there will be a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.