by Melody Mudzi
Kutsaga Research has warned tobacco growers against purchasing illegal and unregistered seed following reports of farmers suffering significant crop losses.
This came during the first round of Circus Meetings held at TSF, Premier, and Ethical Tobacco auction floors ahead of the 2026/27 tobacco production season as more than 1,000 growers received production advice.
The Circus meetings, an annual platform that brings researchers face-to-face with growers, provided farmers with an opportunity to engage directly with technical specialists on key production challenges, emerging industry trends, and best agronomic practices before planting begins.
Several farmers shared experiences of suffering poor yields and, in some cases, complete crop failure after planting seed purchased from unlicensed sources.
Researchers warned growers against purchasing seed varieties commonly sold informally under names such as Kamuzambia and Kamchila, noting that such seed often lacks traceability, quality assurance, and commercial value.
“Farmers invest considerable resources into tobacco production. Using unregistered seed exposes them to unnecessary risks, including poor performance, low-quality leaf, and total crop failure,” Kutsaga advised.
The warning comes as farmers prepare for another production season amid growing pressure to maximize productivity, improve profitability, and manage climate-related risks.
Dry conditions and the risk of early flowering emerged as another major area of concern during the meetings. Farmers sought guidance on how to prevent premature flowering, a problem that can significantly reduce yields and affect crop quality.
In response, Kutsaga researchers shared practical recommendations on nursery management, transplant timing, crop establishment, and stress management practices designed to help farmers reduce the effects of drought and maintain healthy crop growth.
The discussions also highlighted strong farmer confidence in Kutsaga-developed tobacco varieties KRK 26R and KRK 76, which growers identified as their preferred varieties for the upcoming season due to their strong field performance, yield potential, and leaf quality.
However, researchers cautioned farmers against selecting varieties based solely on popularity.
“While KRK 26R and KRK 76 continue to perform well, farmers should always choose varieties suited to their specific growing conditions and production environments. The right variety for one region may not necessarily be the best option for another,” Kutsaga representatives said.
The feedback received from growers will help inform Kutsaga’s ongoing seed multiplication and breeding programmes, ensuring that future research remains responsive to industry needs.
Interest was also high in Kutsaga’s energy-efficient tobacco curing barns, with farmers seeking information on the designs as they explore ways to reduce curing costs, lower firewood consumption, and improve environmental sustainability.
Researchers further encouraged growers to focus on productivity rather than expanding hectarage beyond their capacity to effectively manage.
“Higher yields from a well-managed hectare are often more profitable than larger areas that cannot be adequately supported with labour, fertiliser, and other critical inputs,” farmers were told.
Farmers were also reminded of the importance of adhering to recommended production calendars, including prescribed dates for seedbed establishment, transplanting, and stalk destruction.
Compliance with these timelines remains critical for effective pest and disease management while reducing reliance on costly chemical interventions.
Kutsaga said the annual Circus Meetings continue to play a vital role in strengthening collaboration between researchers and growers by providing a direct feedback mechanism that allows scientific research to respond to challenges experienced at farm level.
As preparations for the 2026/27 season gather momentum, the institution believes the engagements will help growers make informed production decisions, adopt climate-smart farming practices, and improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability across Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector.
The Circus Meetings will continue at various tobacco industry platforms in the coming weeks, ensuring farmers across the country have access to the latest research-driven recommendations and technical support ahead of planting.
