Theseus Mauruki Shambare
TOBACCO farmers have transplanted 13 122 hectares for the 2026/27 production season as activities gather momentum.
This comes as the industry is urging growers to exercise caution when determining their hectarage amid anticipated El Niño conditions.
The latest figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show an increase in planted hectarage from 10 597 hectares recorded on October 7, to 13 122 hectares by October 14, representing an additional 2 525 hectares in a week.
TIMB acting public affairs manager Mr Ryhne Chikuni said the industry recorded 164 536 hectares under tobacco production last season, providing a benchmark for the scale of production achieved in the previous growing cycle.
The current planting figures indicate that transplanting is gathering momentum as the new season progresses.
Dryland transplanting is also expected to gain momentum as farmers receive sufficient rainfall, although growers have been urged to ensure their production plans are supported by adequate water, inputs, labour and financial resources.
Mr Chikuni said farmers should treat tobacco production as a business and avoid committing resources beyond their capacity, particularly with forecasts pointing to potentially challenging rainfall conditions.
“We are encouraging farmers to approach tobacco production as a business by planting only the hectarage they can adequately support with available water, inputs, labour and financial resources, considering the expected El Niño conditions,” he said.
The caution comes as Zimbabwe prepares for the 2026/27 agricultural season against forecasts of potentially below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in parts of the country, conditions that could affect crop establishment and development.
Meanwhile, grower registrations have increased by 11 percent, with 82 464 farmers having registered for the new season as at October 16, compared to 74 082 recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The increase of 8 382 growers reflects continued participation in the tobacco industry, although actual production will depend on farmers’ capacity to establish and sustain their crops.
In a move aimed at improving access to regulatory services, TIMB has also introduced EcoCash payments for grower number renewals, allowing farmers to complete the process remotely.
Growers can renew their registration numbers for US$10 until October 31, after which a further US$10 penalty will apply from November 1.
