The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has urged tobacco growers to diversify into other commercial enterprises after 2026’s marketing season fell short of expectations.
The tobacco watchdog warned that dependence on a single crop is exposing farmers to growing market and climate risks.
The call comes as the 2026 tobacco selling season draws to a close with deliveries trailing last year’s record crop despite earlier forecasts of another strong harvest.
TIMB said the long-term sustainability of the sector depends on farmers managing their operations as commercial businesses capable of generating multiple income streams.
“For decades, tobacco has been the backbone of Zimbabwean agriculture, generating vital foreign currency and sustaining rural livelihoods,” TIMB said.
“While tobacco remains a viable and profitable crop, the modern farmer can no longer afford to treat the farm simply as a lifestyle or heritage asset. Today’s economic environment demands that farms be managed as agile, commercially focused enterprises capable of creating wealth under changing market and climatic conditions.”
The regulator said diversification should complement, rather than replace, tobacco production by improving profitability, stabilising cash flows and reducing exposure to external shocks.
“Successful farming today requires planning beyond a single crop. Diversification should be viewed as an integral component of every tobacco farming business, complementing rather than replacing tobacco production.
“The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board views diversification not as a retreat from tobacco, but as a deliberate agribusiness strategy that maximises profitability, stabilises cash flow and protects farming businesses from market and climatic shocks.”
TIMB noted that tobacco’s lengthy production cycle often leaves farmers waiting up to nine months before receiving income, creating liquidity pressures that could be eased through complementary enterprises.
“Tobacco is a long-cycle enterprise. Farmers often invest working capital for up to nine months before realising returns at the sales floors, creating liquidity pressures during the production season,” the board said.
It encouraged growers to expand into high-value export crops such as blueberries, avocados, macadamia nuts, citrus, paprika, chillies, herbs and other specialised horticultural products.
The regulator said farmers could also maximise returns by making better use of existing infrastructure.
“Irrigation systems can also be used to produce winter wheat, potatoes, seed maize or vegetables. Curing barns can be repurposed to dry crops such as paprika, chillies or herbal products, while maintaining a permanent skilled workforce improves productivity and reduces seasonal labour turnover,” TIMB said.
The board also warned that weather risks remain elevated ahead of the 2026/27 farming season.