Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
ZIMBABWE has launched a coordinated crackdown against illegal tobacco varieties, with Government warning that growers who cultivate unregistered seed risk prosecution and destruction of their crops as authorities move to protect the country’s US$7 billion tobacco transformation vision.
The crackdown comes as the country’s tobacco industry, which generated more than US$876 million from over 353 million kilogrammes sold during the 2026 marketing season, prepares for the 2026/27 production cycle.
Under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy, Government aims to grow the sector into a US$7 billion industry by increasing annual production to 500 million kilogrammes while expanding local value addition.
Addressing the inaugural Joint Illegal Tobacco Varieties Indaba in Harare last week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said illegal tobacco varieties threatened export markets, farmer incomes and the country’s hard-earned reputation as a producer of premium tobacco.
“This is not merely a compliance issue. It is an issue of protecting Zimbabwe’s export markets, safeguarding farmer incomes and defending Brand Zimbabwe,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act has already prohibited the cultivation of unregistered tobacco varieties and that Government’s focus was now on strict enforcement.
“There is no policy gap. There is no legal uncertainty,” he said.
“The law is already in place. Our responsibility is, therefore, not to create new legislation.
“It is to enforce existing legislation decisively, consistently and without exception,” he said.
Prof Jiri warned that illegal crops would be destroyed, citing the conviction of several growers in Mashonaland East, Central and West after DNA testing confirmed cultivation of the banned KamuZambia variety.
In one case, a Marondera farmer was fined US$10 000 and had the entire crop destroyed.
Kutsaga Research head of plant health and agriculture resilience, Dr Cleopas Chinheya, said illegal varieties such as KamuZambia undermined crop quality, disease resistance, supply chain traceability and global market confidence.
Stakeholders were encouraged to balance short-term profitability with the need to protect Zimbabwe’s long-term tobacco competitiveness by improving farmers’ access to affordable certified seed and expanding decentralised greenhouse seedling production. Dr Chinheya also called on merchant buyers to adopt a zero-tolerance policy by rejecting illegal tobacco at auction and contract floors to eliminate financial incentives for growers to plant banned varieties.
“The industry would strengthen grassroots awareness through chiefs, village heads and councillors, while introducing toll-free reporting hotlines and strengthening the TIMB inspectorate to detect illegal seed distribution networks,” he said.
“The National Biotechnology Authority will also provide forensic DNA evidence to support investigations and prosecutions.”
Kutsaga chief executive Dr Frank Magama said unscrupulous dealers were duping farmers into buying illegal seed, resulting in poor yields, inferior quality leaf and low prices at auction floors.
“There is a certain quality and yield that is required from Zimbabwe on the international markets and it is our pride to jealously guard the varieties that are grown in this country,” he said.
TIMB chief executive Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire said the Indaba had brought together regulators, researchers, farmers, contractors, traditional leaders and law enforcement agencies to develop a coordinated response.
“The increasing production of unregistered tobacco varieties threatens the quality, traceability and international reputation that Zimbabwean tobacco has earned over many decades,” he said.
