Online Reporter
Agriculture Reporter
FARMERS in Matabeleland North Province have planted 40 hectares of flue-cured tobacco, as production of the cash crop continues to expand in the non-traditional regions.
The crop was planted under dryland conditions.
Tobacco production was previously confined to Manicaland, Midlands and Mashonaland provinces.
According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) weekly report, as of January 26, 162 625 hectares of tobacco had been transplanted by farmers.
“This is an increase compared to 114 301ha planted at the same time last year. 25 166ha of tobacco is under irrigation, while 137 459 ha is under dryland. Great strides from last season,” read the report.
This comes as 500 tonnes of air-cured tobacco are also expected from Matabeleland South this season.
Farmers in the Mangwe District of the province are growing air-cured tobacco under contract farming.
This marks the third year that local firm, Atlas Agri, has been contracting farmers to grow this tobacco variety in the province.
Some of these growers are planting their crop under irrigation, although the majority practice rainfed production.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) president Mr George Seremwe said the expansion of tobacco production to other provinces was an indication that farmers had realised economic benefits from the crop.
He said farmers from Matabeleland were producing a good quality crop.
“Considering the region Matabeleland North, we need to look into the current crop and how farmers performed during the previous year. They performed well and we are seeing an increase and boost for livelihoods for farmers in the area.
“Those growing air-cured are doing well. The advantage is that it does not require firewood for curing, which is more sustainable,” he said.
Zimbabwe is Africa’s largest tobacco producer.
The growth of the sector has been attributed to the Government’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan: 2021-2025.
Farmers have, however, raised concerns that contract farming heavily depends on external capital, leading to substantial profit repatriation and vulnerability to global price fluctuations.
The Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan is targeted at increasing local financing from 5 percent to 70 percent by 2025 and expanding value-added processing from 2 percent to 30 percent of the crop.
Tobacco is considered the “lifeblood” of the Zimbabwean economy and is strategically important due to its role as the country’s largest agricultural foreign currency earner, contributing significantly to gross domestic product, employment and rural livelihoods
As the largest producer in Africa and one of the top producers globally, tobacco plays a vital role in the country’s economic stability.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry hit a historic milestone, with production surpassing 300 million kilogrammes, resulting in over US$1 billion in revenue by mid-2025.
