derick.khumalo
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
GOVERNMENT agencies involved in tobacco regulation are pushing for a coordinated enforcement framework to combat the growing circulation of illegal tobacco seed varieties, amid concerns that unregistered germplasm could undermine Zimbabwe’s premium tobacco reputation.
The proposed approach brings together the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), Kutsaga Tobacco Research Board, Plant Quarantine Services Institute (PQSI), Seed Services Institute, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to strengthen surveillance, identification and enforcement against illegal varieties.
The measures are ongoing during the inaugural Joint Illegal Tobacco Varieties Indaba hosted by TIMB and Kutsaga in Harare, which brought together scientists, regulators, farmers and other tobacco industry stakeholders.
Plant Health Inspector from PQSI Plant Health Inspector Ms Maruva Choga said historical gaps in coordination among institutions had allowed illegal varieties to spread in some tobacco-growing areas.
“Despite clear individual mandates, individual tobacco-related organisations operate with isolated surveillance methodologies leaving structural regulatory loopholes,” Ms Choga said.
She said the lack of coordinated action had enabled illegal seed operations to bypass checkpoints and continue multiplying unregistered varieties, posing risks to Zimbabwe’s tobacco value chain and international market standing.
PQSI proposed the establishment of joint operations involving biological inspectors, TIMB officials, Kutsaga scientists, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the judiciary.
The proposed framework includes routine inspections of seedbeds and tobacco fields, genetic testing of suspected illegal varieties and documented destruction of confirmed illegal crops.
The institute also recommended the development of unified standard operating procedures for sampling, testing and crop destruction ahead of the 2026/27 tobacco production season.
Ms Choga said illegal varieties often enter the country through smuggling routes, including undeclared baggage through minor border crossings, while some are modified locally by unlicensed growers without approval from regulatory authorities.
Beyond regulatory concerns, PQSI warned that uncertified varieties could pose biosecurity risks by bypassing screening systems designed to detect pests and diseases.
“Uncertified varieties bypass vital gene screening, hosting devastating crop pathogens like potato virus and tobacco bushy top,” she said.
The institute also highlighted the threat posed by pests such as root-knot nematodes, which can remain in agricultural soils for extended periods and affect future production.
TIMB Company Secretary Mrs Tariro Mukoko said existing legislation already provides mechanisms to deal with illegal tobacco production, but there was room to strengthen implementation procedures.
She said TIMB’s mandate under the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act includes regulating tobacco marketing and protecting the integrity of the sector.
“The mandate of TIMB in terms of our Act is to control and regulate the marketing of tobacco and to promote and protect and maintain the sale of tobacco,” Mrs Mukoko said.
She said grower registration was the first control point, with only registered farmers permitted to produce and sell tobacco.
“When a grower is registered, they are registered to produce and sell a variety that is approved by TIMB and TRB,” she said.
Mrs Mukoko warned that farmers who grow tobacco without registration, or plant varieties not approved under the regulatory framework, risk penalties including fines, imprisonment and crop destruction.
She said TIMB has powers to report offenders to the police, while non-compliant tobacco can be destroyed whether it is still in the field, cured or awaiting sale.
“If it is established that it is not a prescribed variety, then that tobacco can be ordered to be destroyed,” she said.
The inspectors, she said, can also suspend tobacco sales at auction or contract floors while investigations are conducted to establish whether the tobacco originated from approved varieties.
She said the current Tobacco Industry Marketing Regulations, popularly known as Statutory Instrument 29 of 2000, are under review, presenting an opportunity to introduce more detailed procedures dealing with illegal varieties.
“There is an opportunity there for TIMB and Kutsaga to work together in the amendment of the policies and regulations that are in place,” she said.
Meanwhile, Seed Services Institute said protecting tobacco genetics required strict adherence to the national seed certification system.
Representing institute head Mr Edmore Mtetwa, seed inspector Ms Patience Takundwa said every variety must undergo testing and registration before being released to farmers.
“Our mandate as Seed Services is to make sure we produce seed of good quality and to uphold the integrity of the seed supply chain,” she said.
She said the certification process involves variety testing, field inspections, laboratory analysis and quality assurance checks.
New varieties undergo distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) assessments, while seed undergoes purity and germination tests.
“For tobacco, to pass it must have a purity of 99 percent and germination above 90 percent,” Ms Takundwa said.
She said only licensed dealers are permitted to sell seed, while breeders are protected under the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act to encourage continued investment in developing improved varieties.
The discussions also highlighted the need for greater farmer awareness, with some growers admitting that unregistered varieties had gained popularity through informal networks.
Guruve tobacco farmer Ashton Munaki said varieties such as Kamuzambia had attracted attention among farmers based on claims of better performance.
“Kamuzambia was becoming more popular. There were theories that it performs better,” he said.
However, stakeholders warned that farmers attracted by such claims may not always be aware that illegal varieties bypass years of scientific testing, disease screening and quality assurance processes required for certified seed.
The proposed joint enforcement framework is expected to strengthen protection of Zimbabwe’s tobacco genetics while safeguarding the country’s position as a producer of premium-quality tobacco on the global market.
