Record natural air-cured tobacco hectarage

Edgar Vhera

Agriculture Specialist Writer

NATURAL air-cured tobacco planting has increased from 10 to 90 hectares in its second year of return after a 62-year hiatus, marking a significant milestone in reducing the carbon footprint associated with tobacco farming.

The country reintroduced air-cured tobacco production in the 2023/24 season, with the sole contractor, Atlas Agri (Pvt Ltd) Zimbabwe, contracting 17 growers to participate in this inaugural project, each committing plots ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 hectares.

A total of 10 hectares were planted, resulting in about 4,000 kilogrammes produced and marketed.

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) recently visited the Mangwe district in Matabeleland South to witness the planting of the crop.

A TIMB X (formerly Twitter) post read: “140 small-scale growers are the backbone of the initiative in Mangwe, and they are currently transplanting 90 hectares of natural air-cured tobacco — a sustainable crop that requires no firewood for curing, thereby reducing environmental impact.

“Efforts are underway to cut production costs from US$900 per hectare while ensuring profitability for farmers. Together, we are building a sustainable and cost-effective tobacco industry.”

Atlas Agri’s chief executive officer, Mr Alex Mackay, recently stated that over 150 farmers were engaged to produce the crop on over 100 hectares, up from last year’s 10 hectares cultivated by 17 farmers.

Mr Mackay noted that many farmers who participated in the inaugural test expressed great satisfaction with the sale, with the top-performing grower, Mr Martin Nguni, delivering 608 kilogrammes and achieving an average price of US$3.10 per kilogramme.

The success of the project has sparked considerable interest in the crop, resulting in more farmers expressing willingness to grow it in the 2024/25 season.

“We have seen over 300 new farmers applying for contracts, expanding our reach to Plum Tree, Fig Tree, and the wider Mangwe region. Looking ahead, we have several initiatives in the pipeline aimed at enhancing yield and quality,” he said enthusiastically.

These initiatives include the introduction of drought-resistant varieties from Kutsaga, a revised plant nutrition scheme, and improved curing practices.

Mr Mackay explained: “Our goal is to boost returns for our farmers, and as proof of concept, it’s noteworthy that our naturally cured Virginia was processed entirely without the use of fuel wood, relying solely on natural elements. This innovative approach has garnered significant momentum as a diverse and highly sustainable agro-project in the area.”

He added that with support and guidance from Agritex and TIMB, they hoped to develop the crop over time for the benefit of both farmers and the economy, in line with the Government’s vision as outlined in the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP). TIMB acting chief executive officer, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, speaking at the auction of the 2023/24 crop, noted that the last sale of the crop occurred in 1962 when Turkish tobacco was produced by a farmer named Rosenfels at Nicotine Farm in Mangwe.