By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s 2026/27 summer cropping season is gathering momentum, with tobacco grower registrations up 10 percent, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has said.
In a weekly update, the regulator said 81,797 growers had registered as of 15 October, compared to 74,082 during the same period last year.
It said tobacco seed sales stood at 869,615 grammes as of 24 September 2026, with a field area equivalent of 173,923 hectares, compared to 1,392,245 grammes or 278,449 hectares in the same period in 2025.
In terms of production, TIMB said 10,597 hectares of irrigated tobacco had been transplanted by 7 October, with dryland transplanting expected to begin when growers receive sufficient rainfall.
“The Board is urging farmers to approach tobacco production as a business, planting only the hectorage they can adequately support with water, inputs, labour and finances, given the forecast El Niño conditions,” it said.
The board also advised growers to prioritise early to medium maturing, drought-tolerant varieties, especially for dryland production, and to adopt conservation practices such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, timely planting and water harvesting.
TIMB said it continues to make regulatory services more accessible, with growers able to renew grower numbers from anywhere via the EcoCash platform for US$10 until 31 October 2026, after which a US$10 penalty will apply.
Meanwhile, TIMB said the momentum is visible on the ground in Mazowe District, where the irrigated tobacco crop is taking shape.
Growers there are weeding, applying fertiliser and controlling pests to promote healthy development, with TIMB providing field visits and technical guidance on Good Agronomic Practices to maximise yield and quality.
“Through field visits and technical guidance, TIMB is supporting growers with advice on good agronomic practices to improve plant health and maximise yield and quality,” it said.
New Ziana
