Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
KUTSAGA Research, Zimbabwe’s sole producer of tobacco seed, has recorded a sharp decline in seed purchases by farmers ahead of the 2026/27 cropping season, with uptake falling by 41 percent compared to the same period last year.
The decline comes as farmers prepare for the new tobacco season amid changing weather patterns and growing concerns around production costs, with Kutsaga indicating that it has so far distributed 355 695 grams of seed compared to 607 015 grams during the same period in 2025.
Kutsaga chief executive officer Dr Frank Magama confirmed the decline, saying the institute was however observing changing demand patterns as farmers increasingly diversify into other crops.
“Sweet potato and other horticultural crops like onion are currently experiencing strong demand from farmers,” he said.
Tobacco remains one of Zimbabwe’s major foreign currency earners, with the performance of the crop closely linked to the availability of quality certified seed.
Kutsaga has for decades played a central role in developing and supplying tobacco varieties suited to Zimbabwe’s growing regions, producing seed that undergoes rigorous testing for yield potential, disease resistance, leaf quality and market requirements.
Dr Magama said farmers should continue prioritising certified seed from approved suppliers to avoid production losses associated with counterfeit and unregistered varieties.
He warned that farmers who purchase seed from unauthorised sources risk poor yields, inferior leaf quality and varieties that may fail to meet market requirements.
“Growers are encouraged to purchase seed and seedlings only from approved and reputable outlets, retain receipts and seed packets for traceability, and verify security features on seed packaging before purchase,” he said.
The decline in seed uptake comes as the agricultural sector prepares for a season where farmers are being encouraged to adopt climate-smart production methods due to forecasts pointing to possible dry conditions and periods of moisture stress in some areas.
Kutsaga has been promoting drought-resilient tobacco varieties, including K RK71 and K RK75, alongside newer varieties such as T78, T79, T80 and T81, which were developed to improve farmer resilience under harsh climatic conditions.
Beyond tobacco, the research institute has expanded into food security crops and horticulture, supplying sweet potato vines, potato planting material and disease-free planting materials through its tissue culture programme.
Dr Magama said Kutsaga would continue strengthening seed systems and farmer support programmes to ensure growers have access to quality planting materials.
The institute has established distribution outlets across major farming areas, including Harare, Bindura, Mt Darwin, Marondera, Rusape, Karoi and Chinhoyi, as part of efforts to improve access to certified seed.
