Staff Reporter
Harvesting and curing of the 2024/2025 irrigated tobacco crop has commenced, raising hopes that Zimbabwe will reach a historic milestone of 300 million kilogrammes for the first time. Industry stakeholders and experts have expressed optimism, citing increased hectarage and the potential for rain-fed agriculture to further boost output.
In an interview with this publication, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) spokesperson, Cephas Matisha attributed the positive outlook to the dedication of farmers and support from Government programs.
“The surpassing of last year’s hectarage is a strong indicator of the industry’s growth trajectory. If Government considers extending the planting period for rain-fed tobacco, we can see even greater production levels, ensuring this target is achieved or exceeded.”
The current season has seen more farmers investing in both irrigated and rain-fed tobacco farming. This increase in participation has been fueled by favorable policies and improved access to inputs such as fertilizer and seeds,” Matisha added.
Economic analyst, Tinashe Hove noted that achieving the, 300 million kilogramme, milestone would significantly boost Zimbabwe’s foreign currency earnings.
“Tobacco remains one of Zimbabwe’s top export earners, and a record harvest would strengthen the country’s balance of payments. It also demonstrates the resilience of the agricultural sector despite challenges such as climate change,” Hove said
He also highlighted the importance of addressing logistical and market-related challenges to maximize the benefits of increased production.
“As we anticipate this bumper harvest, it is essential to ensure that auction floors and other facilities are prepared to handle the volume efficiently,” Hove added.
Meanwhile, commercial farmer and tobacco producer, Linda Mugatsa said the Government’s role in availing inputs and offering technical assistance has been critical to the sector’s success.
“The support we’ve received this season has been tremendous. We’re seeing more farmers, especially small-scale growers, being capacitated to contribute meaningfully to this record-breaking target,” Mugatsa said.
The tobacco sector has been a pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for over 20% of the country’s annual export earnings. With harvesting now underway, all eyes are on the farmers to see if the ambitious target of 300 million kilogrammes will become a reality.
