Campaign reinforces tobacco planting calendar

With planning for the 2025/2026 harvest underway, entities representing the tobacco production chain have decided to join forces to promote an awareness campaign in the field. The focus is on respecting the official planting calendar, set to take place between May 1 and November 30, with variations depending on the type of tobacco and the producing region. The initiative aims to prevent out-of-season planting, a practice that has been worrying technicians and leaders in the sector.

The topic was discussed at a recent meeting of the Quality and Innovation Working Group, linked to the National Forum for Integration of the Tobacco Production Chain (Foniagro). Representatives from the Interstate Tobacco Industry Union (SindiTabaco), associated companies and producer organizations participated. According to the group, successive plantings or plantings outside the appropriate period can generate negative impacts, such as the proliferation of pests and diseases, in addition to the loss of quality of the final product.

“Some producers have been planting out of season as a way to risk additional income, but they end up damaging the soil and the quality of the tobacco,” warns Carlos Sehn, secretary of Foniagro and advisor to the board of directors of SindiTabaco. He advises that, between one cycle and another, farmers should invest in rotation crops or cover crops, protecting the soil and reducing phytosanitary risks.

The president of SindiTabaco, Valmor Thesing, emphasizes that this action reinforces the commitment to the Integrated Tobacco Production System, and that the work of technical advisors will be decisive in convincing producers. “Technical guidance will be essential to raise awareness about correct soil management in order to increase crop productivity and quality. It is possible that, in the future, producers who insist on planting outside the defined window will no longer be registered by companies,” says Thesing.

In addition to the planting calendar, another area of ​​work for the entities has been combating the use of pirated seeds. Since they do not undergo quality control and inspection, these seeds can compromise crop health, spread diseases and directly affect productivity. The use of this type of material also compromises integration contracts and can lead to the harvest not being sold. The entities emphasize that only certified seeds, produced with high standards of control, guarantee more uniform, resistant, productive and profitable crops.