Online Reporter
Felistas Tavarera
Agriculture Correspondent
THE tobacco industry has welcomed the development of climate-resilient varieties T78 –T81 to withstand the impact of climate change and provide decent yields even in challenging conditions.
Tobacco Research Board chief executive, Dr Frank Magama, said varieties which were suitable for different regions provided decent yields, improving farmers’ incomes.
“The development of climate-resilient tobacco varieties is a game-changer for the industry. It will enable farmers to maintain productivity and quality despite the challenges posed by climate change.
“The new varieties are the result of collaborative research efforts among stakeholders in the tobacco industry. Researchers have worked tirelessly to develop varieties that can thrive in different regions of the country including areas that were previously not suitable for tobacco production” he said.
T70 has good holding capacity while T73 matures early.
Dr Magama said the research for climate-resilient tobacco varieties demonstrated the industry’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
“The new varieties are set to improve the competitiveness of Zimbabwean tobacco on the global market and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” he said.
“The development of climate-resilient tobacco varieties is just the beginning. Researchers are already working on developing new varieties that can withstand even more challenging conditions and the industry is also exploring new technologies and practices that can improve the sustainability and productivity of tobacco farming,” he said.
Meanwhile chief director Business Development Markets and Trade Mr Clemence Taderera Bwenje said the industry had made progress in promoting alternative crops increasing farmers’ earnings.
“This is a significant step towards diversifying farmer incomes and complying with international regulations. However, the industry still faces challenges, particularly in localisation of financing and value addition and a review of the strategy is currently underway to identify teething problems and develop a revised transformation strategy to address these challenges,” he said.
The Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy is a critical initiative aimed at transforming the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe. The progress made so far is a testament to the industry’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Stakeholders are optimistic that the revised strategy will further boost production, improve value addition, and increase the competitiveness of Zimbabwean tobacco on the global market.
Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) chief executive, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, said the tobacco industry was making significant progress in localising funding, with the government aiming to retain 70 percent of the total amount of the industry.
Currently, the industry has reached 67 percent localisation, a notable achievement towards the Government’s goal.
“The importance of localising funding cannot be overstated. By retaining more funds within the country, the industry can boost the economy and ensure that the money generated is circulated and used locally and presently, a significant portion of offshore funding is used to repay loans, resulting in a substantial amount of money leaving the country “, he said.
The tobacco industry is a significant contributor to Zimbabwe’s economy.
