Climate change cited for a drop of tobacco production in Chunya, Tanzania

CHUTCU manager Juma Mohammed said a big percentage of the tobacco produced lacked quality due to rains that was difficult for the farmers to dry. He said in the 2018/19 farming season, the target was to produce 9.92 million tons, but only 6 million tons was produced. “In the last season tobacco farmers incurred great loss because the spent a lot in cultivation including the purchase of input, including fertilizer that was swept away by rain water, and some who harvested were unable to dry it,” he said. He said during the period tobacco price fell from USD 1.6 per kg down to USD 1.33 and the problem was attributed to falling quality and weight of the crop. In the circumstances, Mohamed said n this season they have made strategic preparations including the ready availability of inputs, in particular fertilizer and seeds. He said inputs and seeds in this season will reach 7,500 farmers in 23 primary cooperatives in the district. Some farmers in the district appealed to the government ...