Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati-Agriculture News Editor
ZIMBABWE is collaborating with international partners, particularly China, to increase tobacco production to 500 million kilogrammes through sustainable practices in a Government-led measure.
This is intended to balance economic growth with environmental responsibilities.
This strategy, which also promotes value addition and beneficiation, focuses on environmentally-friendly cultivation methods, efficient processing and innovative marketing techniques to ensure economic viability for farmers while adhering to sustainability goals.
This came out at the inaugural Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo 2025 being held in Harare.
The expo is about connecting Zimbabwe and tobacco growers and the industry in other regional countries with Chinese innovations that enhance productivity, promote sustainability and increase value addition’
The expo is also designed to strengthen bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and China, bringing together key stakeholders from both nations and other African countries.
Officiating at the expo, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said it was important for the tobacco industry to take advantage of the relations between Zimbabwe and China to grow the industry and find solutions to issues affecting production.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Minister Dr Anxious Masuka (centre),deputy Minister Vangelis Peter Haritatos (left), Kutsaga Board chairman Aaron Denenga (second from left) and others officials are taken on a tour of the stands at the Zimbabwe -China Tobacco Expo 2025 in Harare yesterday.-Picture:Joseph Manditswara.
“Tobacco is by far the most important agriculture export commodity that Zimbabwe has with over 60 destinations and China is an important destination. China is a very important destination for all known agricultural statistics. China is the biggest producer of tobacco in the world and is also the biggest consumer of tobacco in the world. This year a milestone was reached as Zimbabwean farmers sold 355 million kilogrammes of tobacco for US$1,2billion.
“Tobacco is a very important part for the transformation of rural economies as 85 percent crop is produced by smallholder families with over 60 percent of them being beneficiaries of the land reform programme.
“We must produce 500 million kilogrammes, and we must find the market. I hope that our Chinese friends will be able to continue to support us by protecting these volumes that we so desire. We must also ensure that there is more value-added efficiencies,” he said.
On traceability and sustainability, Minister Masuka said it was important for the sector to consider alternative curing methods that were energy efficient.
“A large proportion of our tobacco is still cured using firewood and we want to use more environmentally friendly sustainable methods of curing and I will get the industry to come together and eliminate the use of wood for curing purposes by 2030.
“ It is also imperative that we ensure that we eliminate child labour and also grow our tobacco without the use of environmental chemicals. All the modern technologies, robotics, AI to be able to get to the next level of production and also the last window to synergies in change integration to lose the ESG aspect that environmental, social and governance issues are embedded in our production practices,” he said.
Asia-Europe And Africa Joint Trade And Investment Promotion Association chief executive Ms Lu Zhaofeng said Zimbabwean tobacco was well known worldwide for its high quality.
“The Chinese tobacco industry possesses advanced technologies in seedling cultivation, irrigation facilities, fertiliser and agrochemical, modern flue-curing techniques, technical training, and fuel conservation which Zimbabwe can also emulate.
“We can also collaboration on nicotine extracts and the medicinal benefits of tobacco. Currently, there is a global trend in tobacco development of reducing nicotine content and minimising the health risks of tobacco products. In the vast land of Zimbabwe, tobacco not only thrives, but also offers the potential for further development,” she said.
Tobacco Board of Zambia executive director said Africa could benefit from collaborating with China through establishing la lucrative market and increasing value addition.
“As Zambia we expect to benefit from this expo in terms of linking with markets and value addition. We also look forward to also take a leaf from Zimbabwe which is producing 355 million kilogrammes. We are sitting at 71 million kgs.
“I urge other African countries to collaborate with China on tobacco production. China has always been an all-weather friend to Africa,” he said.
The expo will include main exhibition halls, conferencing sessions, field tours, live demonstrations and stakeholder networking platforms.
