ISLAMABAD: The distribution of improved exotic varieties of tobacco has reduced the cultivation area of Non-Recommended Variety (NRV) from 70 percent to 40 percent in the country in last three years.
“Under the directions of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), seeds of the improved and refined PVH 2310 in bulk quantities have been disbursed among the tobacco growers, which has produced astonishingly very good results” a well placed source at MoC told this scribe here on Wednesday.
Moreover, MoC has also taken numerous measures to enhance the production of tobacco of fine quality in the country to reduce imports of tobacco related products as well as to get cigarettes and related products of export quality.
Tobacco growers of some areas had adopted cultivation of NRVs for their early maturity characteristic, but quality wise not acceptable by cigarette industry. To resolve this situation PVH 2310 was discovered among some exotic varieties, as early maturing with higher yield and good quality acceptable to the industry. Seed of PVH 2310 was distributed among progressive growers.
PVH 2310 is bred to be early maturing with leaf spacing ideal for mechanical harvesters. This variety is for barn use efficiency, high yielding properties, and high grading quality that can be planted on acres currently being planted with K326. In addition, recent university trails have highlighted the broad disease resistance package that PVH 1452 offers. It has Black Shank, Granville Wilt and additional Root-Knot Nematode resistance.
Moreover, PVH 2310 performs in the greenhouse and field just like any other variety. However, it will mature and the leaves ripen faster than what farmers are accustomed to. When harvested correctly the leaves come out of the barn “bright.” If harvested later the leaves tend to have more of an “orange” color. PVH 2310 holds well, but as with traditional varieties, it is important to remember to not let the tobacco become over-ripe in the field.
During 2013 and 2014 varietals performance assessment surveys were done in all respective tobacco growing areas. Encouraging feedback was recorded. Gradually the area under cultivation of NRV is reducing and it has been reduced from 70 percent to 40 percent in the three years. After a number of Agronomic experiments different intercultural practices (deep ploughing, weeding, and crop protection techniques) have been developed to increase the quality of Tobacco.
Regular field days, tobacco workshops, training visit (T&V) programmes, radio talk are being conducted; model nurseries and model plots at farmer fields have been established; Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) has established two research stations at Mardan, Mansehra, one Tobacco Model Farm at Buner in KPK and two sub research stations at Kunjah and Okara (Sahiwal) in Punjab.
Moreover, PTB has acquired land for Tobacco Research Station at Jampur (Punjab) and for Tobacco Model Farm at Pishin (Balochistan), but research work has not yet been started due to occupation of land by illegal occupants in Jampur and worsening law and order situation in Balochistan.
Tobacco Research Station Mardan is main research station and most of the research activities are undergoing there. However, the other sub research stations are meant for trials of new varieties. The performance/ achievements of Tobacco Research Station, Mardan during two years are placed at Annex-II.
Pakistan Tobacco Board has informed that following steps have been taken by the government for further cultivation of tobacco in the country: PTB surveyed new areas for cultivation/ promotion of tobacco and demonstration plots have been cultivated on trial basis in these areas.
Mianwali Bhakkar Sialkot Lakki Marwat Bajour Agency Cultivation of tobacco at Barikot, Swat is also under process. Moreover, cigar tobacco is also being cultivated on trial basis in some areas including Badin, Rasool Abad, Ranipur and Bubak in Sindh.
