Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1544088
56 tobaccoasia Issue 2, 2026 March / April By Thomas Schmid Transplanting tobacco has long been described as an art, a delicate balance between science and skill, tradition and innovation. It is not merely the act of moving seedlings from nursery beds into the field, but rather a decisive stage that determines the health, yield, and quality of the crop. Farmers must master soil preparation, moisture management, and pest control, while also handling fragile seedlings with care and precision. This process, deeply rooted in generations of agricultural expertise, varies across regions but carries a universal truth: transplanting tobacco is both a technical challenge and a craft honed by experience. In conversations with 3 organiza- tions—Godfrey Phillips India Limited, Alliance One Mashonaland Tobacco in Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (a founder member of the International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA) —Tobacco Asia gained insight into how transplanting practices differ across continents, yet share a common dedication to precision and resilience. Seedling preparation: the first test of readiness For M. Prabhakara Rao, general manager – operations at Godfrey Phillips India Limited, the maturity of seedlings is judged by touch and sight. "Maturity and hardening of seedlings happens at the age of approximately 45-50 days after sowing," he explained. Farmers press the seedlings between thumb and finger; if they resist without oozing moisture, they are ready. Pencil-thick stems, a height of 15 centimeters, and freedom from pests are the hallmarks of a transplant-ready seedling, he said. In Zimbabwe, Chris Sheppard and Daniel Rankin of Alliance One Mashonaland Tobacco emphasized similar criteria but with regional nuances. Seedlings must be "6-8 inches from the root crown to the top of the heart," they noted, with stems strong enough to wrap around a finger without breaking. The ideal seedling is pale yellow, disease-free, and not overly leafy. The Art of Transplanting Insights from India and Zimbabwe highlight the precision, patience, and the craft behind successful transplanting. India: Perfectly spaced seedlings after transplanting. Credit: Godfrey Phillips "Saplings must be planted into standing water which will drain away, elimi-nating air pockets around the roots," —Graham Ross, Zimbabwe Tobacco Association