Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera-Agriculture Specialist Writer
FARMERS have so far planted 450 hectares of shisha tobacco, representing 88 percent of the targeted 514 hectares, as commercial production of the crop enters its third year.
Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe chief executive officer, Dr Rebecca Manford welcomed the Government’s extension of the seedbed destruction date to January 15, saying it would allow more farmers to continue transplanting and reach the set target.
“For the 2024/25 season, the target is 514 hectares, and so far, 450 have been planted, making the set goal achievable, considering the extension of the seedbed destruction date to January 15.
“Cavendish Lloyd has contracted 149 growers to produce a target yield of 775 000 kilogrammes, and with the ongoing support to farmers, we are optimistic of achieving this goal while ensuring a high-quality crop,” she said.
Cavendish Lloyd is currently the only registered and licensed shisha merchant by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
The forecast good rains are expected to positively impact shisha tobacco, as adequate rainfall supports strong plant growth and results in improved leaf size and quality, which are critical.
Dr Manford cited some growers’ hesitancy to do full-scale production of the crop, as one of the challenges shisha farming was facing, adding that they had since embarked on an awareness campaign to attract more growers.
“The prolonged dry spell and delayed rains sun-scorched some of the crop, while in other areas it was damaged by hail. The good thing is that it was insured.
“Insufficient irrigation facilities are another challenge hampering production during erratic rainfall periods,” said the Cavendish Lloyd boss.
These challenges are being addressed through technical training by Cavendish Lloyd and engagement of stakeholders to promote sustainable production solutions.
She said Zimbabwe could become a significant player in the global shisha tobacco market with the crop driving economic growth and farmer empowerment if the Government incentivised its production through subsidised inputs, loans, or grants.
The Government can also provide incentives to expand irrigation infrastructure, help secure new export markets and invest in research to develop high-yielding shisha tobacco varieties, she added.
A beneficiary of the land resettlement programme under the A2 scheme from Dombie Farm in Marondera, Mr Kuda Kudenga, expanded his hectarage this year after investing in barn construction last year.
“I have planted 25 hectares this season, up from last year’s 15, with 20 hectares under irrigation and five on dry land.
“The rains pounding the country since late December have revived the crop, which was under stress from inadequate irrigation water,” he said.
Mr Kudenga produced 42,5 tonnes last season at an average yield of 2,8 tonnes per hectare and received an average price of US$3,20 per kilogramme. His highest price was US$5,70.
After successful variety and agronomic trials conducted by Kutsaga Research since 2021, the first commercial crop was grown in the 2022/23 season.
Shisha is also a flue-cured tobacco, not from the Kutsaga released seed varieties, but is imported and has its own characteristics produced under different agronomic practices all designed to influence nicotine and sugar levels.
Commercial shisha production grew 270 percent from 110 hectares in the year of inception to 407 in the 2023/24 season and is projected to grow to 514 hectares this season.
Statistics from TIMB show that for the 2023/24 season, 399 429 kilogrammes of the crop worth US$1 302 947 were produced at an average price of US$3,26 per kilogramme.
daniel chigunwe
