Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry is poised to become a US$5 billion sector by 2025, driven by research, innovation, local financing, and farmer empowerment, this was revealed by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr. Anxious Masuka.
Speaking at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Kutsaga, held at the University of Zimbabwe’s Diamond Jubilee Conference Hall, today,Dr. Masuka said tobacco remains a pillar of economic growth, with more than 135,000 growers active across the country.
“We are well on course to becoming a US$5 billion tobacco industry by 2025. Tobacco farmers have become upper middle-income earners, which shows how this sector is improving livelihoods across the country,” he said.
Dr. Masuka commended Kutsaga for its continued contribution to research and development since its establishment in 1950.
“Our story in tobacco research is intrinsically linked to the establishment of Kutsaga in 1950, which laid the foundation for the quality and competitiveness of our golden leaf today,” he said.
He also encouraged farmers to diversify their operations in order to improve income security.
“I encourage farmers not to depend solely on tobacco. They must also grow crops like maize and cotton and keep livestock such as cattle. Diversification is not optional—it is essential for sustainability,” he said.
Localising tobacco financing was also identified as a key priority.
“We must ensure that tobacco financing is mobilised locally to cushion the sector against external financial shocks,” Dr. Masuka said.
Dr. Masuka stressed the need for education that produces competent, practical graduates.
“We recognise the youth as future leaders in agriculture. Certificates and gowns must represent competence, not just academic achievement—that is why Education 5.0 was introduced, to promote innovation, industrialisation, and modernisation,” he said.
Kutsaga CEO Dr. Frank Magama reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to climate-smart research.
“We are focused on developing drought-tolerant, early-maturing, and disease-resistant varieties to meet the challenges of climate change,” he said.
Reflecting on Kutsaga’s historic journey, Dr. Magama said:
“The decades that followed—the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s—were characterised by significant strides in breeding for yield, quality, and disease resistance.
“Researchers at Kutsaga developed, improved flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobacco varieties that became the backbone of our industry. The focus was on producing a leaf style that was not only high-yielding but also met the discerning requirements of international markets. This relentless pursuit of excellence cemented Zimbabwe's reputation as a producer of world-class tobacco.”
He added that the institution continues to break new ground.
“Just this year, as Kutsaga marked its Diamond Jubilee, we celebrated the launch of new high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties that have the potential to significantly boost productivity, even in marginal rainfall areas. We are confronting climate variability head-on and salute the arrival of these drought-adaptive varieties. Thus, we have an arsenal of future-ready genetics for a climate-conscious era,” Dr. Magama said.
With a strong research base, value addition, local financing, and farmer diversification, Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry is well positioned to remain competitive, resilient, and a major contributor to the country’s vision of attaining an upper-middle-income status by 2030.
