Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has urged tobacco farmers to diversify their agricultural enterprises by venturing into other high-value crops and food production activities to strengthen income security and build resilience against climate and market shocks.
The call comes as the 2026 tobacco marketing season draws to a close, with farmers having sold 353 813 565 kilogrammes of tobacco valued at US$882,49 million as of July 17.
TIMB acting public affairs officer Mr Ryhne Chikuni said while tobacco remains a major contributor to Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy, farmers should avoid over-reliance on a single enterprise and instead develop commercially driven farming businesses.
“Tobacco remains a viable and profitable crop, but the modern farmer can no longer afford to treat the farm simply as a lifestyle or heritage asset. Today’s economic environment demands that farms be managed as agile, commercially focused enterprises capable of creating wealth under changing market and climatic conditions,” he said.
The tobacco sector supports more than 160 000 households and remains one of the country’s key foreign currency earners.
Mr Chikuni said diversification should not be viewed as abandoning tobacco production, but rather as a strategy to complement the crop and improve profitability.
“Diversification should be viewed as an integral component of every tobacco farming business, complementing rather than replacing tobacco production,” he said.
He said tobacco farmers had the potential to expand into export-oriented enterprises such as blueberries, macadamia nuts, avocados, citrus, paprika, chillies, herbs and other specialty horticultural crops.
However, he said farmers seeking entry into premium export markets would need to comply with internationally recognised food safety and social responsibility standards.
TIMB provides compliance consultancy services to assist growers obtain certifications including GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, SMETA, HACCP Level 4 and BRCGS, which improve market access and enhance buyer confidence.
Mr Chikuni said diversification would also help farmers maximise returns from existing infrastructure such as irrigation systems, tractors, labour and curing barns.
“Irrigation systems can also be used to produce winter wheat, potatoes, seed maize or vegetables, while curing barns can be repurposed to dry crops such as paprika, chillies or herbal products,” he said.
The call for diversification comes amid concerns over possible below-normal rainfall during the 2026/27 agricultural season, with climate experts warning of potential El Niño-related challenges.
TIMB said spreading production across different enterprises could help farmers manage climate risks while ensuring continued income generation when one enterprise performs below expectations.
The board is also promoting food security initiatives among tobacco growers through programmes such as the distribution of orange-fleshed sweet potato vines.
Mr Chikuni said TIMB recently supported Stow-Muhacha Cooperative with vines to establish one hectare under irrigation, benefiting 28 small-scale farmers. Similar multiplication programmes have been established in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.
As preparations for the 2026/27 tobacco season gather momentum, TIMB has encouraged farmers to adopt a phased diversification approach while maintaining tobacco as their anchor enterprise.
The board recommends that growers dedicate about 30 percent of available land to testing profitable complementary enterprises, while ensuring production decisions are guided by market demand.
“Tobacco farmers should secure buyers before planting and maintain accurate financial records for each enterprise to identify activities that generate the strongest returns on investment,” Mr Chikuni said.
Auction floors are scheduled to close on July 31, with mop-up sales set for August 5 and 6, while contract sales will continue until contractors complete deliveries from their growers.
