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THE INTERVIEW
SIFELANI TSIKO
The golden leaf still remains one of Zimbabwe’s major foreign currency earners raking in an average yearly income of nearly US$1 billion.
The country, through its industry-wide initiatives, is embracing technological solutions and best practices that pave the way for environmentally conscious and socially responsible tobacco cultivation. In this report, Innovations Editor Sifelani Tsiko (ST) speaks to Tobacco Research Board (TRB) CEO Dr Frank Magama (FM) about how his organisation is embracing new initiatives to promote best practices in sustainable tobacco cultivation that mitigate environmental impact, promote ethical farming and ensure economic viability.
ST: The Tobacco Research Board won the global Golden Leaf Award recently in recognition for its effort to promote sustainable growth in the tobacco growing sector. How do you feel about winning the award? What does this mean to TRB and the nation as a whole?
FM: We are overjoyed to receive the prestigious Golden Leaf Award! This global recognition validates Kutsaga’s tireless efforts in promoting sustainable growth in Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector, acknowledging our commitment to innovative research, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic development. Guided by the ministry’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan and aligned with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, we are committed to driving innovation, fostering strategic partnerships and promoting sustainable growth across the tobacco value chain. This award fuels our aspirations to become a leader in sustainable agriculture, showcasing our growing research and development capabilities and positioning us to attract investments, expand market opportunities and boost Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry competitiveness.
ST: Can you tell us about some of your TRB activities that led your organisation to earn global recognition?
FM: The key drivers of our success include developing and promoting fuel-efficient curing facilities, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental footprint. Research into alternative energy solutions for tobacco curing, including biogas systems, solar hybrid barns and sustainable tree species fuel sources is important. Stringent evaluation and registration of eco-friendly agrochemicals for tobacco production as well as enhancing soil health through, recommending organic amendments and integrated soil fertility management.
We have also empowered tobacco-growing households with economically viable alternatives, such as diversification into industrial hemp and other high-value crops and giving them access to tissue-cultured fruit tree plantlets such as bananas, blueberries, avocados and sweet potatoes. These initiatives showcase our dedication to environmental sustainability, socio-economic development, and innovative research.
ST: The frequency of drought in Zimbabwe is increasing. What kind of varieties have you developed that can thrive in harsh or challenging climatic conditions?
FM: Addressing climate change is a top priority for us and we have focused on developing climate-smart tobacco varieties and technologies. In 2023 we released four drought-tolerant varieties (T78, T79, T80 and T81) bred for tobacco production in marginal areas and also in drought years in traditional growing areas. We are also developing consortia of soil microbes that are capable of protecting roots from desiccation in hot and dry weather and harnessing water resources under water-limiting conditions. These strategies ensure tobacco productivity in harsh and challenging climactic conditions.
ST: Have you released any of the climate-smart varieties in the country and elsewhere in the SADC region?
FM: Currently, these varieties are still in the advanced evaluation phase in Zimbabwe. Once fully validated, like all other previously released varieties from Kutsaga, these will be availed to the global platform, benefiting tobacco-growing communities across the SADC region and beyond.
ST: In the 2023 marketing Zimbabwe produced a record tobacco crop of 298 million kg raking in millions of dollars for the country. What role is the TRB playing to ensure sustained growth of the tobacco sector to help Zimbabwe attain its target for a US$5 billion tobacco industry by 2025?
FM: Kutsaga drives Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector growth and sustainability through delivering science-based and innovative solutions, enhancing farmer capabilities and supporting sustainable production practices. Our work supports Zimbabwe’s vision of a US$5 billion tobacco industry by 2025, by ensuring the sector remains competitive, sustainable and resilient. Our research prioritizes three key areas – developing high-yielding tobacco varieties with exceptional leaf quality, optimising farming practices for cost reduction and environmental sustainability and transferring technology to farmers for seamless adoption and maximum impact. This integrated approach enhances productivity, improves livelihoods and promotes a sustainable tobacco industry.
ST: What are some of the major achievements of the TRB in 2024?
FM: Kutsaga has made significant strides in 2024, solidifying its position as a leader in tobacco research and development. Variety Release ‑ we continued the release of highly sought-after tobacco varieties, providing farmers with improved yields, quality and disease resistance. We have won a global award and numerous local awards in recognition of our exceptional work. We won prestigious prizes for outstanding achievements in agriculture in several provincial agricultural shows in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and West, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central and Harare Agricultural Show. We were also awarded the coveted Presidential Innovation Fair Award for Best Innovating Research and Development Institution by President Mnangagwa. In business, Kutsaga was the first runner-up in the National Business competition receiving the Innovation of the Year Award awarded by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC). We were also awarded the Agricultural Inputs Exporters Award by ZimTrade. Our scientists are renowned globally, serving on esteemed committees and boards, both locally and internationally, where they contribute to shaping the global tobacco research and local agriculture agenda.
ST: What challenges are you facing when it comes to the implementation of some of your operations in the country?
FM: The challenges faced in implementing operations include undercapitalisation: Despite our current capitalisation, securing additional investment is crucial to upgrade our laboratories and expand our vehicle fleet. This vital funding will enable our scientists to conduct cutting-edge research leveraging 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and access specialised training and extension services. To bridge this funding gap, we are actively exploring various avenues. These include pursuing commercial projects, collaborating with key stakeholders and forging strategic partnerships. A notable example is the recently installed state-of-the-art greenhouse sponsored by the Tobacco Leaf Exporters Association. Climate change has been bringing about accelerated evolution of pests and pathogens and requiring that research be agile to timeously avail resilient solutions. We are leveraging adaptive research strategies to stay ahead of this challenge. Brain drain is another problem. Our renowned scientists are attracted to more competitive remuneration packages offered in countries like South Africa and Australia, underscoring the need for targeted capacity-building programs and improved remuneration to retain our skilled talent. Through collaborative efforts and strategic investments, we are confident in our ability to surmount these challenges and drive sustainable growth in Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector.
ST: More than 11 million people have benefited from 10 Presidential Schemes that aim to support smallholder farmers to improve food security and reduce poverty. What activities have you undertaken to support the Presidential Schemes?
FM: We have been actively supporting the Presidential Schemes aimed at empowering smallholder farmers. Kutsaga has contributed approximately three million sweet potato plantlets for the establishment of rural nutritional gardens. This initiative is crucial for improving food security, nutrition and livelihoods. We are further ramping up the production of horticultural crops such as elite fruit trees in support of the Horticultural Recovery Growth Plan.
ST: Global anti-tobacco campaigns are growing in strength and influence. What role is the TRB playing to ensure the country’s interest in tobacco is heard and supported, nationally, regionally and internationally?
FM: Kutsaga plays a vital role in advocating for Zimbabwe’s interests in tobacco production. Nationally, our focus is ensuring that tobacco is produced sustainably, prioritising environmental stewardship and promoting the adoption of climate-smart practices. Regionally, as a T5 member alongside Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, we collaborate to address shared challenges and explore alternative crops in order to diversify farmer incomes and reduce dependence on tobacco. Internationally, we engage global stakeholders to ensure the industry’s concerns are heard, upholding core principles that include eliminating human rights concerns – protecting workers’ rights and preventing child labour.
ST: Looking ahead, how do you see the TRB moving in support of the country’s vision to ensure the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030?
FM: We hope to do this through the intensification of ongoing strategic programmes and projects and advocating for policies supporting agricultural growth and competitiveness.
Online Reporter