Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE revival of natural air-cured tobacco production in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South Province, has been viewed as a major milestone of a pioneer commercial venture project to tap into the rich pickings of the golden leaf.
Tobacco is predominantly grown in Mashonaland provinces with a few farmers involved in Midlands Province and not so common in the entire Matabeleland region, which majors in cattle ranching.
The pioneer tobacco scheme was introduced last year at Syringavale Farm in Ward 11, Marula Village of Mangwe breaking the decade’s cycle of reliance on subsistence staple grain farming and livestock keeping.
In a recent post on X, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), which visited the natural air-cured tobacco project in Mangwe on Wednesday, said the project marks a major milestone in reducing tobacco farming’s carbon footprint.
“TIMB board recently visited the natural air-cured tobacco project in Mangwe. This tobacco variety, last grown 62 years ago during the Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) era by Rosenfels at Nicotine Farm, is making a historic comeback,” said the organisation.
“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, reducing environmental impact.”
TIMB said the return of natural air-cured tobacco marks a major milestone in reducing tobacco farming’s carbon footprint. Efforts are underway to cut production costs from US$900 per hectare to ensure farmers’ profitability.
It said together, they were building a sustainable and cost-effective tobacco industry in the country.
As a profitable cash crop, the natural air-cured tobacco production is poised to reshape the region’s agricultural sector and enhance livelihoods.
In a previous statement, TIMB spokesperson, Ms Chelesani Moyo, said they were considering establishing an auction floor in the region to allow farmers to get prompt services and help grow the sector.
She said subject to meeting the requirements, the board was considering issuing a contract or auction floor licence in the region.
“The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will issue a Contract or Auction Floor licence if the application meets the requirements. Some of the considerations include but are not limited to a significant number of growers in that area who wish to sell to that floor and also operating costs,” she said.
Ms Moyo said establishing an auction floor in Matabeleland region would be a game changer for farmers and will drive further capacity building of agricultural advisory services officials.
Most farmers from the region have been shunning tobacco production citing bottlenecks such as transporting their produce to the auction floors in Harare.
In a previous interview with our sister paper The Herald, TIMB acting chief executive officer, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire said the country conducted the first sale of national air cured tobacco at Mangwe district in Matabeleland South exactly 62 years ago.
“The last sale of the crop happened in 1962 when the crop (Turkish tobacco) was produced by a farmer named Rosenfels at Nicotine Farm in Mangwe. This year 4 000 kilogrammes were produced and marketed at an average price of US$3 per kilogramme with the highest at US$3,40,” he said.
Production of natural air-cured tobacco is a milestone towards total industry sustainability, as it requires no wood energy for curing thereby reducing the environmental impact of tobacco production.
The air-cured tobacco brand is highly sought after by the American market. Samples of the crop were taken to a buyer in America who was satisfied with its quality and will take the entire crop produced.
Mr Matsvaire added: “The cost of production is relatively low at around US$400 per hectare. This is a game changer for farmers in Matabeleland South province while further capacity building efforts for Agritex officials is key for the success of the project.”
Meanwhile, with the rains here, TIMB said the seedbed destruction date was nearing, calling on tobacco farmers to replant tobacco to maintain the standard plant population for optimal yields.
“Fertilise gap-filled plants quickly to boost growth and top (remove apical bud) early for uniformity with surviving plants. Remember, the law requires all tobacco seedbeds to be destroyed by 31 December. Stay compliant.”
