Staff Reporter
A groundbreaking achievement in tobacco farming in Matabeleland North is showcasing the region's potential for agricultural success.
Professor M. Sibanda’s successful tobacco crop is challenging previous perceptions that the area was unsuitable for tobacco farming, demonstrating that with the right support and innovation, the region can significantly contribute to the nation’s agricultural transformation.
Phineas Mukomberanwa, founder of The Farmer Talk (TFT) Club, commended Professor Sibanda’s efforts, emphasizing that his success underscores the importance of resilience and knowledge in driving agricultural growth.
"His achievement aligns with TFT as well as the Government's commitment to empowering every grower to reach the 4,500 kgs per hectare benchmark and contribute to Zimbabwe’s ambitious journey toward the road to 300 million kgs in the 2024/25 season. This target is integral to Vision 2030, which emphasizes agricultural modernization and the need to boost national production across all sectors," Mukomberanwa said.
He further noted that the success in Matabeleland North is particularly significant, as it marks a shift in the region’s agricultural potential.
"It is inspiring to note that Matabeleland North now boasts two registered farmers, and both are members of the TFT family. These pioneers are defying expectations and proving that with the right approach, no region is off-limits for agricultural success.
This success supports regional development and empowers farmers to drive economic growth from every corner of Zimbabwe," Mukomberanwa said.
The achievement of Professor Sibanda and others like him is not just a personal milestone but a clear indicator of the potential for agricultural transformation in regions once seen as less viable for tobacco farming.
"To Prof Sibanda and all our dedicated members across Zimbabwe, let's keep pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks. Together, we are not just transforming individual growers but paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the entire tobacco industry," Mukomberanwa added.
Muchiyei Dumbarumwe, General Manager of Thousand Hills Tobacco Company, also expressed confidence in the potential of Matabeleland North’s tobacco sector. "That is interesting coming from Matabeleland. 300 million kgs is doable," Dumbarumwe said, reinforcing the Government’s vision for increased tobacco production as part of the nation’s economic strategy.
As Zimbabwe works towards increasing tobacco production to 300 million kgs in the 2024/25 season, this achievement in Matabeleland North serves as a vital example of how agricultural practices can be transformed. It highlights the importance of innovation, education, and support for farmers in achieving broader national development goals, including those outlined in Vision 2030, which seek to position agriculture as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economic prosperity and sustainable growth.
