Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
Agriculture News Editor
More than 6 000 farmers have registered to grow tobacco next season, with more than 3 500 coming from the communal sector.
According to the latest update from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), 6 142 farmers have registered for the upcoming season, representing a 41 percent decline from the same period last year.
By July 31, 2025, 10 399 growers had registered for the 2025/26 season.
The statistics show 3 570 registrations from the communal sector, 1 892 from the A1 sector, 301 from small-scale commercial farmers, and 302 from the A2 sector.
Mashonaland West has the highest number of registered growers at 2 240, while Masvingo and Matabeleland have 5 and 1 growers respectively. Tobacco experts said it was still too early to attribute the decline solely to the low prices offered during the 2026 marketing season, as other factors may be at play.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) president, Mr George Seremwe, said some farmers were disappointed by the just-ended season, but registrations could still rise.
‘‘Some farmers are not happy as they lost money, their livestock and properties which they had banked on tobacco. The past season did not go well for the majority of farmers and this could have also affected the registrations.
‘‘Many farmers remain undecided about trying it, with some still believing tobacco prices will not recover.
‘‘We may also see a decline in the volumes produced in the coming season. It is, however, too early to say low prices caused the decline in registrations. Some farmers, however, still have hope. During the last days, prices improved and that brought hope to some farmers,’’ he said.
Agricultural economist Mr Peter Gambara said the 2025/26 prices were unviable.
‘‘Most farmers got prices that were way below US$1 and most farmers failed to break even. It is therefore expected that farmers are unsure about growing the crop again, while others consider reducing their hectarage for next season.
‘‘Our tobacco output has been growing over the past few years. Obviously, the more tobacco you grow, the more likely that the market might fail to absorb it all,’’ he said.
Mr Gambara said TIMB should have read global markets timeously and advised farmers accordingly.
He said some buyers were also accused of colluding and not participating in the market, which forced the Government to intervene.
‘‘Then there is also the issue of organising the selling. Farmers are required to declare the size of their crops before the selling season starts (this is still being done basically), but previously farmers would be allocated selling time on the auction floors. Hence, all farmers would send primings to the floors at the same time.
‘‘Now we get one farmer selling primings while another is selling his prime leaf. This causes some disorderliness. Basically, prices start low and improve when farmers sell their primings. All farmers should experience the low and peak prices and this can only be achieved by managing the sales.
‘‘We should not have farmers coming to the floors without making prior arrangements for selling. This should bring order,’’ he said.
According to TIMB, growers should prioritise productivity and quality rather than expanding hectarage.
TIMB chief executive, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, urged farmers to use certified tobacco seed varieties developed by Kutsaga that are best suited to the agro-ecological conditions of their respective areas.
‘‘Given the increasing frequency of droughts and climate variability, growers are also encouraged to plan for adequate water supplies for the entire production cycle, invest in water harvesting and storage, and adopt water conservation practices to improve resilience and sustain productivity,’’ he said.
Farmers were urged to adhere to recommended agronomic practices and ensure proper curing, grading and presentation of their crop.
‘‘In an increasingly quality-driven global market, improved productivity, lower production costs and the production of high-quality tobacco remain the most sustainable pathway to higher incomes and long-term competitiveness,’’ he said.
