Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Zimbabwe, Africa’s leading tobacco producer, inaugurated its annual tobacco-selling season amid projections of reduced harvests and quality attributed to a severe drought worsened by the El Niño weather pattern and climate change.
Chairman of the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, Patrick Devenish, disclosed a significant decline in production estimates from last year’s record harvest of 296 million kilograms to approximately 235 million kilograms this season, affecting small-scale farmers heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture.
Anxious Masuka, the agriculture minister, emphasized the vulnerability of small-scale farmers, who contribute 75% of the crop but lack resources and irrigation, making them susceptible to adverse weather conditions.
Zimbabwe’s reliance on tobacco exports, primarily to China, highlights the economic significance of the industry, which generated a record $1.2 billion in exports in 2023. However, the drought threatens to impede the country’s foreign currency earnings and exacerbate food insecurity among affected farmers.
The resurgence of Zimbabwe’s tobacco production following a tumultuous period underscores its importance as one of the world’s top exporters. Yet, the dominance of the contract system, particularly with Chinese involvement, has left farmers indebted and vulnerable, with 95% of the crop financed through this mechanism.
George Seremwe, president of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association, expressed concerns over farmers’ reduced earnings due to the drought, highlighting the significant impact on livelihoods.
For farmers like Likephone Makii, the outlook is bleak, with diminished yields and poor quality fetching low prices at auctions. With tobacco as their sole source of income, many farmers face the prospect of food insecurity, necessitating assistance from aid agencies to cope with the drought’s aftermath.
As Zimbabwe grapples with the consequences of climate change on its vital tobacco industry, there is a pressing need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts on farmers’ livelihoods and ensure food security in affected communities.
