Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) is encouraging growers relying on rainfed agriculture to select drought-tolerant tobacco varieties in view of the forecasted super El Niño threat in the 2026/27 season.
In a notice to farmers on its official X account, TIMB said the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has forecasted below-normal rainfall for the 2026/27 cropping season and called on tobacco growers to select tobacco varieties best suited to these production conditions, taking into account their access to irrigation and the expected rainfall patterns in their area.
“Proven Kutsaga varieties such as KRK71 and KRK75 have demonstrated strong performance under moisture-stressed conditions due to their deep root systems. In contrast, newer climate-smart varieties like T78, T79, T80 and T81 are specifically bred for dry, high-temperature and low-rainfall environments.
“These varieties use a “drought escape” mechanism, allowing tobacco to complete crucial growth stages before severe stress occurs,” said TIMB.
Even to farmers with irrigation, TIMB said variety choice should also align with watering capacity.
“Choosing the right variety is critical to maintain both yield and leaf quality. Align your crop variety with local conditions and water resources to mitigate climate risks and build lasting profitability,” continued TIMB.
In response to climate change and repeated drought occurrence, Kutsaga developed climate-smart varieties.
Kutsaga revealed that tobacco is naturally a hardy crop but the propensity and frequent occurrence of drought periods resulted in the development of novel genetics capable of tolerating severe drought conditions.
“Two varieties (KRK71 and KRK75) have a remarkable capacity to rebound and give high yields and maintain leaf quality after a debilitating drought growing season compared to others.
“These two varieties should be the variety of choice in drought-prone areas and also when drought is forecasted,” said Kutsaga.
In the 2023/24 season, Kutsaga further placed on limited release new climate-proofed tobacco hybrids bred for cultivation in marginal areas. These new varieties (T78, T79, T80 and T81) were bred for a generally short growth duration that allows them to mature early and escape drought, especially in situations where the crop is predicted to suffer late-season drought stress.
Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces and Gokwe North and South districts are some of the marginal tobacco growing areas characterised by low rainfall, high temperatures and dry conditions.
Kutsaga plant breeder, Mr Francis Mukoyi concurred that the T-series varieties (T78-81) were on limited release.
“The seed is available we are actually encouraging growers to utilise these because they are climate-smart and have a drought escape mechanism,” he said.
Mr Mukoyi said the varieties can grow and produce good yields with short rainfall seasons and in low rainfall locations.
Furthermore, the varieties are multi-disease resistant, fast growing (speed to topping is six to eight weeks after planting).
“Although these varieties are fast in growth, they considerably slow down after topping allowing accumulation of biomass, and uniformly ripen and mature without putting the farmer under harvesting pressure.
“Yields of at least 2, 5 tonnes per hectare are guaranteed in marginal areas and in a severe drought year,” he said.
The genetics feature a wide variety of cured leaf styles ranging from lemon to deep orange/mahogany; this allows growers to select varieties that will meet the demands of their merchants.
Tobacco production in marginal areas is booming, led by Matabeleland provinces, where Naturally Cured Virginia (NCV) tobacco cultivation returned in the 2023/24 season after a 62-year hiatus, under 10 hectares from 17 farmers.
The number of growers dramatically rose in the 2024/25 season to 122 on 84ha.
This season, 325 growers have planted 370ha, a 166 and 340 percent increase in growers and hectarage, respectively, signalling growing confidence and momentum in a region traditionally considered outside Zimbabwe’s tobacco belt.
The current season marks the third consecutive season of NCV tobacco production in Zimbabwe, underlining steady adoption and trust in the crop.
Recent statistics from TIMB show that farmers have so far sold 162 249 kilogrammes of NCV tobacco and earned US$281 497 at an average price of US$1, 73 per kg.
Select drought-tolerant tobacco varieties, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board urges farmers
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) is encouraging growers relying on rainfed agriculture to select drought-tolerant tobacco varieties in view of the forecasted super El Niño threat in the 2026/27 season.
In a notice to farmers on its official X account, TIMB said the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has forecasted below-normal rainfall for the 2026/27 cropping season and called on tobacco growers to select tobacco varieties best suited to these production conditions, taking into account their access to irrigation and the expected rainfall patterns in their area.
“Proven Kutsaga varieties such as KRK71 and KRK75 have demonstrated strong performance under moisture-stressed conditions due to their deep root systems. In contrast, newer climate-smart varieties like T78, T79, T80 and T81 are specifically bred for dry, high-temperature and low-rainfall environments.
“These varieties use a “drought escape” mechanism, allowing tobacco to complete crucial growth stages before severe stress occurs,” said TIMB.
Even to farmers with irrigation, TIMB said variety choice should also align with watering capacity.
“Choosing the right variety is critical to maintain both yield and leaf quality. Align your crop variety with local conditions and water resources to mitigate climate risks and build lasting profitability,” continued TIMB.
In response to climate change and repeated drought occurrence, Kutsaga developed climate-smart varieties.
Kutsaga revealed that tobacco is naturally a hardy crop but the propensity and frequent occurrence of drought periods resulted in the development of novel genetics capable of tolerating severe drought conditions.
“Two varieties (KRK71 and KRK75) have a remarkable capacity to rebound and give high yields and maintain leaf quality after a debilitating drought growing season compared to others.
“These two varieties should be the variety of choice in drought-prone areas and also when drought is forecasted,” said Kutsaga.
In the 2023/24 season, Kutsaga further placed on limited release new climate-proofed tobacco hybrids bred for cultivation in marginal areas. These new varieties (T78, T79, T80 and T81) were bred for a generally short growth duration that allows them to mature early and escape drought, especially in situations where the crop is predicted to suffer late-season drought stress.
Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces and Gokwe North and South districts are some of the marginal tobacco growing areas characterised by low rainfall, high temperatures and dry conditions.
Kutsaga plant breeder, Mr Francis Mukoyi concurred that the T-series varieties (T78-81) were on limited release.
“The seed is available we are actually encouraging growers to utilise these because they are climate-smart and have a drought escape mechanism,” he said.
Mr Mukoyi said the varieties can grow and produce good yields with short rainfall seasons and in low rainfall locations.
Furthermore, the varieties are multi-disease resistant, fast growing (speed to topping is six to eight weeks after planting).
“Although these varieties are fast in growth, they considerably slow down after topping allowing accumulation of biomass, and uniformly ripen and mature without putting the farmer under harvesting pressure.
“Yields of at least 2, 5 tonnes per hectare are guaranteed in marginal areas and in a severe drought year,” he said.
The genetics feature a wide variety of cured leaf styles ranging from lemon to deep orange/mahogany; this allows growers to select varieties that will meet the demands of their merchants.
Tobacco production in marginal areas is booming, led by Matabeleland provinces, where Naturally Cured Virginia (NCV) tobacco cultivation returned in the 2023/24 season after a 62-year hiatus, under 10 hectares from 17 farmers.
The number of growers dramatically rose in the 2024/25 season to 122 on 84ha.
This season, 325 growers have planted 370ha, a 166 and 340 percent increase in growers and hectarage, respectively, signalling growing confidence and momentum in a region traditionally considered outside Zimbabwe’s tobacco belt.
The current season marks the third consecutive season of NCV tobacco production in Zimbabwe, underlining steady adoption and trust in the crop.
Recent statistics from TIMB show that farmers have so far sold 162 249 kilogrammes of NCV tobacco and earned US$281 497 at an average price of US$1, 73 per kg.
