The Government has announced an extension to the deadline for destroying tobacco seedbeds for the 2024/25 summer cropping season, moving it from December 31 to January 15.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), which oversees the sector, explained that the Plant Pests and Diseases (Tobacco) Regulations of 1979 mandate the destruction of seedbeds by the end of December to prevent the spread of pests and diseases that can harm tobacco crops.
However, this year’s prolonged dry spell and delayed rains have disrupted the transplanting schedule for farmers dependent on rain-fed tobacco farming. Insufficient water resources hindered timely transplanting efforts.
“The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, has extended the deadline for destroying tobacco seedbeds to January 15, 2025,” said TIMB in a statement.
The extension is expected to help farmers safeguard their investments and benefit from their hard work over the past months.
Tobacco ranks as Zimbabwe’s second-largest foreign currency earner after gold, with production largely driven by smallholder farmers who were resettled under the land reform programme initiated in 2000.
Despite the challenges posed by the El Niño-induced drought and poor rainfall during the 2023/24 cropping season, Zimbabwe managed to produce 236 million kilograms of tobacco. In 2022, smallholder farmers—who make up 60% of the land reform beneficiaries—were responsible for 80% of the record-breaking 294 million kilograms of tobacco produced.
Growing tobacco involves a meticulous process, including maintaining seedbeds for three months, preparing land, and creating ridges for transplanting seedlings. TIMB noted that destroying all plants in seedbeds effectively prevents further transplanting.
“The December rains brought relief and renewed optimism for dryland tobacco growers, signaling a promising start for the 2024/25 season,” TIMB added.
As of December 27, 2024, tobacco growers had transplanted 84,661 hectares, surpassing the 82,392 hectares recorded during the same period in 2023. Additionally, 126,092 growers have registered for the season, compared to 112,904 in the previous year.
These numbers highlight the industry’s resilience and growth, with the national production target set at 300 million kilograms for the 2024/25 season. TIMB has urged farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices to combat erratic weather patterns and ensure success.
Farmers are encouraged to control weeds, use potholes to capture rainfall and reduce runoff, and maintain proper ridges for efficient drainage. Meanwhile, the reaping of early irrigated crops is already underway, with reports of high-quality leaves from areas where sound agronomic practices have been observed.
“Maintaining high-quality tobacco is critical. Farmers are advised to focus on proper agronomy, handling, and storage to avoid post-harvest losses. This will ensure fair competition and better prices for their produce,” TIMB stated.
On January 13, TIMB will begin a crop assessment exercise to evaluate the main dryland crop’s growth stages and late establishments. This will provide insights into the season’s progress and help direct targeted support to farmers.
TIMB emphasized the importance of ethical and sustainable farming. Children under 18 are prohibited from working in tobacco fields, and farmers are urged to use appropriate labor. Cases of child labor can be reported toll-free by calling 116.
“Together with TIMB, all stakeholders can work towards eliminating child labor and securing a sustainable future for the industry,” the board added.
The 2025 tobacco season is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the sector. With collaborative efforts and strategic interventions, Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry is poised for continued growth, benefiting all players involved.
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