ZIMBABWE risks missing its US$5 billion tobacco revenue targets owing to the proliferation of unauthorised tobacco seed varieties.
In a report addressed to growers, Kutsaga, a leading tobacco research institution, cautioned against the use of unapproved and untested tobacco varieties.
In the report, Kutsaga head of plant breeders, genetics, biotechnology and bioinnovations Francis Mukoyi said growing illegal varieties was tantamount to wholesale sabotaging of the enviable and prosperous Zimbabwean tobacco industry.
“Growers and merchants will inadvertently suffer financial losses through yield penalties, increased cost in pests and disease control and low value leaf crop (or filler styles),” Mukoyi said in the report titled Proliferation of Illegal Tobacco Varieties — Viability Implications to the Industry.
“The net effect is that at household level, this compromises family income and food security and at national level, it results in low foreign currency receipts and this goes against government policies such as the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan and its tenets towards a US$5 billion revenue crop.”
Mukoyi said Zimbabwe risked losing international markets as a result.
“International markets are very clear with the quality of tobacco they require. Thus, growers and merchants are advised to cultivate and buy leaf from prescribed varieties."
The cultivation of unauthorised tobacco varieties is illegal as stipulated in section 64(1) of the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, Tobacco Marketing and Levy Act.
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Those found guilty will be liable to a fine not exceeding level 10, imprisonment for a maximum of one year or both.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco export earnings hit a record US$1,3 billion in 2024, marking the second consecutive year above US$1 billion. The achievement follows the US$1,2 billion earned in 2023, despite challenges emanating from El Niño-induced droughts.
The tobacco industry remains a vital contributor to Zimbabwe’s national economy, ranked behind gold.
