Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
TOBACCO farmers have begun sowing seedbeds for the 2025/26 irrigated crop and seed sales are gradually gaining momentum.
Although current seed sales are lower compared to the same period last year, they are expected to increase as more farmers complete the harvesting, curing, and marketing of the late-planted crop.
According to statistics from Kutsaga Research, as of yesterday, farmers had purchased 482 565 grammes of seed — enough to cover 96 513 hectares. This figure is slightly below last year’s corresponding total of 489 990 grammes, which was sufficient for 97 998 hectares.
The earliest date for sowing seed is June1, while transplanting may begin from September 1. All seedbeds are required to be destroyed by December 31, each year.
The decline in seed sales has been attributed to the delayed rains last season, which caused many farmers to postpone planting. At present, some farmers are still reaping and curing their late tobacco crop.
Mr Tatenda Mugabe, Public Relations and Communications Officer at Kutsaga Research, confirmed that tobacco seed sales have started to rise.
“Some farmers are still reaping, while the majority are busy grading and baling for delivery to auctions. Sales have started to surge this month as farmers prepare for the July 1 dryland tobacco season,” he said.
Mr Mugabe also noted that the country has sufficient seed stocks to last up to five years.
Mr Edward Dune, President of the Tobacco Farmers Union Trust, confirmed that farmers have already begun sowing seedbeds.
“June 1 is the stipulated earliest date for planting; it is business as usual. Farmers with irrigation facilities are sowing tobacco. The union is also working closely with the plant quarantine branch within research to ensure proper pest and disease control nationwide. Preparations for the dryland crop are also progressing well,” he said.
Meanwhile, tobacco sales have reached 269 million kilogrammes — just 31 million kg short of the 300 million kg target. By day 63 of the marketing season, farmers had sold 269 million kg of tobacco, valued at US$904 million. This represents a 41 percent increase from the 191 million kg worth US$664 million sold during the same period last year.
However, some farmers have raised concerns over delayed payments by certain contractors.
Tobacco production has been on the rise, driven by favourable prices and improved marketing systems. Once the preserve of a few commercial growers, the crop is now cultivated by over 140 000 farmers, primarily from the communal and A1 sectors.
Tobacco farming has also expanded into Matabeleland South, a region where the crop was previously not grown. Formerly confined to Manicaland, Midlands, and Mashonaland provinces, this decentralisation has empowered rural communities by creating income and employment opportunities.
