Online Reporter
Doris Mpala and Nyasha Simbisai
Agriculture Correspondents
Transplanting of irrigated tobacco from the seedbed to the field has started in earnest with commercial farmers expected to lead the initial planting while authorities and industry stakeholders continue assessing the participation of small-scale farmers.
In Zimbabwe September 1, is the legally allowed first day of planting irrigated tobacco, in line with all growing protocols that include disease and pest control, soil management and marketing season.
Other farmers said they will start transplanting mid-September as ways of reducing losses due to the current low temperatures and the predicted El Nino season.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president, Mr George Seremwe said most commercial farmers were ready for the 2026/27 season and planting will be in full throttle as the season progresses.
“A number of farmers are prepared, mainly from commercial sector. They are geared for the transplantation of tobacco from the first of September.
He said many farmers could experience challenges going back to the land because of a bad marketing season.
“Many smallholder farmers are however still to start planting because they depend on semi-irrigated and dryland production.
“Tobacco is now being grown by the majority of small-scale farmers. Some of them do semi-irrigated crops and dryland crops, which at the moment are not being transplanted,” he said.
According to Mr Seremwe, it will be necessary to assess the number of small-scale and semi-irrigated farmers returning to the fields before determining the extent of tobacco production for the new season.
“We are waiting to measure using those figures of the small-scale and semi-irrigated crop. Then we will be able to say what percentage is going to go back to the field and plant tobacco again,” Mr Seremwe said.
Goromonzi farmer, Mr Boniface Chitate of Munhenga Farm said he was going to transplant mid -September because his crop had been affected by the cold temperatures.
“We are not sure if I should plant early. I have decided to start planting September 15. I will not be discouraged to grow tobacco because of the low prices offered last season or the prediction of an El Nino. We have faith God will see us through,” he said.
Chief Director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, said September 1 marked an important stage in the tobacco production calendar, with farmers expected to maintain good agronomic practices throughout the season to achieve both high yields and premium leaf quality.
She said preparations for the crop have been progressing through both conventional and float-bed seedling production systems.
Mrs Magwenzi said seedbed establishment so far translates to a potential tobacco hectarage of about 85 025 ha, compared with 94 582ha recorded at the corresponding period last season.
Of the projected 85 025ha, about 20 000ha is planned for irrigation, giving growers greater control over crop establishment ahead of the main rains.
“Tobacco production in Zimbabwe is well supported by our partners, with Government providing the enabling environment.
“Tobacco remains an important foreign currency earner for the country and an important source of income for our farmers.
“We can achieve the volumes, but we must ask ourselves: what is the quality of the tobacco we are producing and is it what the market wants?” she said.
Kutsaga Research urged tobacco farmers to prioritise drought-tolerant varieties as they prepare for the upcoming El Niño.
Farmers were also advised to ensure early pest surveillance and strict field sanitation ahead of the 2026/27 season.
“The board is recommending that growers in drought-prone areas consider KRK 71, KRK 75, KRK 26R, T78, T79, T80 and T81, depending on their production circumstances.
“The climate-resilient tobacco varieties KRK 71 (released in 2016) and KRK 75 (released in 2019), have vigorous, deep-rooting systems that enable plants to access moisture deeper in the soil,” said Kutsaga in an advisory.
The board produced T78, T79, T80 and T81, which have a drought-escape mechanism that enables rapid establishment and maturity before severe late-season moisture stress.
“Aphids are among the major concerns, as warm, dry conditions can accelerate their multiplication and increase the risk of transmission of viral diseases such as Potato Virus Y (PVY) and Tobacco Bushy Top Virus (TBTV),” said Kutsaga.
The research board warned that failure to destroy tobacco stalks and remove volunteer tobacco plants could worsen the situation by providing a “green bridge” through which pests and pathogens survive between seasons.
