Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
MASHONALAND Central Province is positioning itself for sustained agricultural growth following a historic surge in tobacco production, with authorities now shifting focus to sustainability, value addition, and long-term food security.
The province exceeded its tobacco planting target by 34 percent during the 2025/26 season, with farmers putting a record 51 169 hectares under the golden leaf, the highest acreage ever achieved in the area.
The milestone is being viewed not just as a production success, but as a signal of renewed farmer confidence driven by attractive prices realised during the previous marketing season.
Speaking at a field tour at Kilmer Farm in Mazowe recently, Acting Provincial Agritex director Mr Misheck Chitokomere said the challenge now is to manage the growth responsibly to safeguard the province’s natural resources.
“With these expanded hectarages, sustainability becomes central to our planning. We are strengthening collaboration with the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board and forestry stakeholders to promote efficient curing technologies and woodlot establishment to protect our forests,” he said.
Beyond tobacco, the overall provincial agricultural outlook remains positive, underpinned by favourable rainfall patterns that boosted crop establishment across most districts.
The province received an average of 260 millimetres of rainfall in November, significantly higher than the 156 millimetres recorded during the same period last season.
This improvement enabled Mashonaland Central to surpass its maize planting target, reaching 101 percent after planting 271 637 hectares.
Traditional grains have also shown resilience, with sorghum nearing full target, pearl millet steadily rising, and finger millet recording an exceptional performance, far exceeding initial projections.
Mr Chitokomere said the focus has now shifted from planting to crop management, as the province seeks to translate hectarage gains into higher yields and improved household incomes.
“We are intensifying farmer training on timely weeding, pest control and post-harvest handling to minimise losses and maximise returns,” he said.
Despite disruptions in data collection during the festive season, particularly in Guruve District due to security concerns, normal agricultural operations have resumed following the arrest of the suspect, restoring confidence among farmers and extension staff.
Looking ahead, the province is already laying groundwork for the 2026 winter cropping season, building on last year’s success when it achieved 110 per cent of its target.
Authorities are closely monitoring water levels in major dams such as Mazowe and Mwenje, with optimism that continued rains until mid-March will secure adequate irrigation supplies.
At the farm level, the provincial outlook mirrors individual success stories such as that of the host farmer Mr Tafadzwa Bonde, an IT professional who has fully embraced farming as a business.
With 20 hectares under crop and nearing maturity, Mr Bonde said agriculture continues to offer viable returns when managed professionally.
As Mashonaland Central consolidates gains from the current season, Cde Chitokomere said the emphasis will remain on sustainability, productivity and climate-smart practices, ensuring that today’s record achievements translate into long-term agricultural resilience and economic growth.
