AN ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN ZIMBABWE

This study assessed the adoption of new tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) production technologies in Zimbabwe. A research survey was carried out in the 15 tobacco growing districts of Zimbabwe using a target population of all experienced small and large scale flue- cured tobacco growers in Zimbabwe during the 2010/2011 tobacco season. A stratified random sampling technique was used to put the population into 3 strata which are fast, slow and medium growing areas. In each stratum, 5 districts were sampled. A structured questionnaire was used to capture information on the tobacco production technologies and the general tobacco agronomic practices. The Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 16.0 and Microsoft. Excel was used for data analysis. The old conventional seedling production system still dominated the new float seedling production system and farmers relied more on burning to sterilize the soil than on iher newly established soil sterilization techniques. The nematode resistant K RK 26 was also the most popular when compared to other higher yielding tobacco varieties like T 28, T 29, T 64 and T 66. Although most growers topped at the recommended height of 18 leaves, the majority still applied a contact suckercide at topping and a systemic suckercide, 7 – 10 days later, instead of the cheaper way of mixing the two and applying at once. The conventional up draft barn is still the most common in tobacco curing. An assessment of the level of adoption of the new technologies was essential for future sustenance of tobacco production in Zimbabwe and to bridge the knowledge gap between new technologies and level of adoption in order to justify research efforts. The results of the survey will be used in formulating strategies for implementation of new technologies in tobacco production processes.