Theseus Mauruki Shambare in VICTORIA FALLS
ZIMBABWE is banking on decades of agricultural research and early planting technology to achieve 360 million kilogramme tobacco production target for the 2026/27 season despite forecasts of a strong El Niño that could bring drier conditions.
The technology, which allows farmers to plant up to six weeks before the expected onset of the rains, gives growers a longer planting window and enables them to establish larger tobacco hectarages.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, said tobacco was generally drought-tolerant and was expected to withstand dry conditions better than other cereal crops.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing 70th congress of the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) in Victoria Falls, Dr Masuka encouraged farmers to plan for the anticipated weather conditions without panicking.
“Certainly, the prediction this year is that we will experience a very strong El Niño and we therefore need to plan appropriately. There is no need to panic,” said Dr Masuka.
“Tobacco is generally a drought-tolerant crop and tends to perform well in drier years, both in terms of quality and yield.
“Our expectation is that tobacco will not be as drastically affected as cereals. Production should therefore continue.”
Zimbabwe is targeting 360 million kilogrammes of tobacco this season, slightly above the 358 million kilogrammes produced last year.
Dr Masuka said the early planting system was developed through research dating back to the late 1950s and 1960s, helping farmers take advantage of available soil moisture ahead of the main rainy season.
“Research and technological developments dating back to the late 1950s and 1960s introduced a system known as dry-land planting, which involves water planting up to six weeks before the expected rainy season.
“This allows farmers to plant a much larger area,” he said.
Dr Masuka said early planting also contributed to the distinctive flavour profile of local tobacco, giving the country’s crop a competitive edge on the international market.
“Although we are a relatively small tobacco-producing jurisdiction globally, we produce very flavourful tobacco because of this distinctive characteristic,” he said.
The tobacco sector supports approximately 135 000 farmers directly, predominantly smallholders, who account for about 85 percent of national production, while thousands of entrepreneurs along the value chain benefit.
The industry remains an important source of rural livelihoods and economic activity.
Meanwhile, CORESTA president, Ms Helena Digard, said continued investment in research and international collaboration was essential to advancing tobacco science and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
“It is important that we continue to develop and invest time in science relating to tobacco and its agriculture, as well as the other sciences associated with the products themselves,” she said.
Kutsaga Research board chairperson, Mr Aaron Denenga, said local research institutions were developing technologies to reduce the environmental impact of tobacco production, particularly reliance on indigenous trees for curing.
“One of the biggest challenges we face in Zimbabwe is deforestation. However, we have introduced new technologies through Kutsaga and the Tobacco Research Board, including improved curing barns that reduce wood consumption by 50 percent,” he said.
The 70th CORESTA Congress, being held in Victoria Falls under the theme “Science for Sustainability and Harm Reduction in the Transforming Tobacco Landscape”, has brought together international researchers to exchange knowledge on emerging scientific and industry developments.
The discussions are focusing on the role of scientific research, technological innovation and international collaboration in improving tobacco production and addressing environmental challenges across the value chain.
