Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
Herald Correspondent
AS Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to transform tobacco into a multi-billion-dollar industry, Kutsaga Research is strengthening its climate-smart breeding programme to equip farmers with varieties capable of withstanding drought, heat stress and changing rainfall patterns.
The country’s sole tobacco seed producer says developing resilient varieties remains central to protecting farmer incomes, maintaining production levels and preserving Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global tobacco market as climate change continues reshaping agricultural seasons.
Kutsaga chief executive officer Dr Frank Magama said the institute’s research focus was increasingly centred on developing varieties that enable farmers to manage production risks while maintaining yield potential and leaf quality.
“Looking ahead to the 2026/27 agricultural season, forecasts suggest an increased likelihood of dry conditions and periods of moisture stress in some production areas,” Dr Magama said.
“Growers are encouraged to adopt climate-smart production strategies that will help safeguard productivity and profitability.”
The institute’s focus on climate resilience comes as growers prepare for the new season, with Kutsaga reporting a shift in seed purchasing patterns.
The seed producer has sold 355 695 grammes of seed for the 2026/27 season compared to 607 015 grammes during the same period last year.
Kutsaga said the lower uptake reflects delayed purchasing decisions linked to farmer cash flows after the previous season, with demand expected to increase as growers begin preparations for the dryland crop.
Among the varieties developed by Kutsaga are K RK71 and K RK75, which have demonstrated strong performance under moisture-stressed conditions.
The varieties develop strong root systems that allow plants to access deeper moisture reserves during dry periods while improving recovery after rainfall.
Kutsaga has also developed a new generation of climate-smart varieties — T78, T79, T80 and T81 — which are currently under limited release.
Dr Magama said the varieties use a “drought escape” mechanism, allowing plants to complete critical growth stages before severe moisture stress affects production.
“The T78 to T81 varieties were specifically bred for inherently dry and drought-prone environments and have demonstrated good adaptation under conditions of high temperatures and reduced rainfall,” he said.
The varieties were evaluated in different tobacco-growing areas, including Matabeleland North, Lower Gweru, Masvingo and Karoi, where they performed strongly under challenging conditions.
Under dry environments, the varieties produced yields above 2 500kg per hectare, while under optimum conditions they achieved yields above 4 000kg per hectare.
Dr Magama said continued investment in research, improved genetics and certified seed systems was critical in sustaining Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector and supporting the national ambition of growing the industry into a US$5 billion value chain.
“Kutsaga ensures that varieties developed for farmers undergo extensive evaluation for agronomic performance, disease resistance, leaf chemistry, smoking quality, yield potential and adaptability across different tobacco-growing environments before being recommended for commercial production,” he said.
The institute’s work comes as farmers continue adapting to changing production conditions, with growers increasingly relying on improved genetics, irrigation and better agronomic practices to protect yields.
For Guruve tobacco farmer Charity Munaki from the Kelstone area, adapting to changing production conditions has meant investing in irrigation and improved farming practices ahead of the coming season.
Munaki said that although tobacco prices were low during the early days of the marketing season, improved prices in recent weeks enabled her to purchase inputs and invest in irrigation equipment.
“Despite the low prices we were getting during the early days of selling, things improved. Last week, I managed to buy my inputs and irrigation equipment. I have already seeded my seeds for my irrigated crop, which I plan to plant on October 1,” she said.
She said access to quality seed and production support remained important for farmers seeking to improve productivity.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe National Farmers union (ZNFU) president Mrs Monica Chinamasa has urged farmers to prioritise certified seed when preparing for the new season, warning that uncertified seed exposes growers to production losses.
Mrs Chinamasa said farmers should only purchase seed from approved suppliers to protect their investments and ensure they get varieties suited for Zimbabwean conditions.
“Farmers must never buy uncertified seed because it puts their production at risk. They need to know what they are planting because the quality of the seed determines the quality of the crop they will produce,” she said.
She also called on the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) to continue taking action against errant tobacco merchants who undermine good practices in the industry.
“TIMB must continue suspending or banning errant merchants because these measures encourage good practices among farmers and players in the industry. Tobacco is a lucrative business and everyone involved must operate responsibly,” Mrs Chinamasa said.
The call for certified seed comes as stakeholders intensify efforts to protect the integrity of Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry, with unapproved varieties posing risks to farmer profitability, leaf quality and the country’s reputation among international buyers.
Dr Magama said Kutsaga-certified varieties provide farmers with traceability, proven performance, disease resistance and suitability across different agro-ecological regions.
He said current seed purchasing patterns should be viewed within the context of farmer cash flows rather than declining confidence in tobacco production.
“Delayed purchase is due to low buying power at the moment and general apathy. We expect the sales to pick up from July when the bulk of growers start the dryland season,” he said.
Beyond tobacco, Kutsaga continues expanding its contribution to agricultural transformation through the production of horticultural planting materials, including sweet potato vines, potato seed material and other crops supporting food security initiatives.
Through research, technology transfer and farmer support programmes, the institute is positioning improved genetics and innovation as key drivers of Zimbabwe’s agricultural resilience, competitiveness and the long-term growth of the tobacco value chain.
