Zimbabwe has produced a record amount of tobacco this year, with a total of 261 million kilograms of tobacco sold so far this season, the country's Agriculture Ministry has stated.
According to permanent secretary at the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, John Basera, Zimbabwe "with each day passing from the 11th of June" is setting a new tobacco output record. The previous largest output of 259 million kilograms was recorded in 2019.
The official told local media that concentrated efforts by the government have made it possible to surpass previous targets and get closer to the goal of 300 million kilograms by 2025, indicated in the country's Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan. He underlined that the government "is positive" that Zimbabwe will reach this target even before 2025.
Small-scale farmers accounted for 85% of the tobacco produced. According to local media, this fact in particular, and the growth of the industry in general, highlights the success of the nation's controversial agrarian reforms. Many small-scale farmers in the country were settled on land seized over two decades ago from white farmers as part of a policy to address land grabs of the colonial era.
It was noted that good rains and better financing enabled farmers to achieve the record output. The official also hailed the Tobacco Research Board for implementing innovative technologies in research to introduce disease-resistant and drought-tolerant tobacco seeds.
Zimbabwe produces the largest amount of tobacco in Africa, exporting the "golden leaf" to China, the Middle East, and Europe. This sector contributes about $1 billion to the nation's export earnings annually. Under the national plan, the country is also seeking to transform the value chain into a $5 billion industry through exports of tobacco value-added products.
The record production of tobacco is not the only major achievement of the country's agricultural sector. Last year, Zimbabwe recorded its largest wheat harvest, which reached 375,000 tons, making the landlocked nation self-sufficient in wheat production.