Business Reporter
Zimbabwe’s largest media group, Zimpapers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, is set to host a 2025 Tobacco Conference this Friday, aimed at fostering discussions on enhanced beneficiation and value addition of the crop.
The initiative follows the country’s milestone achievement of producing approximately 350 million kilogrammes of tobacco, significantly surpassing the 300 million kg target set under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (2021-2025).
With this success, focus is now firmly shifting towards beneficiation and value addition to maximise revenue retention within the country.
The one-day event, to be held at Cresta Lodge in Harare, brings together key stakeholders to chart a new course for Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry.
The conference will feature prominent keynote addresses from the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka and his Industry and Commerce counterpart, Mangaliso Ndlovu.
Structured to foster in-depth discussions, the conference will include presentations from stakeholder experts and dynamic panel discussions.
Some discussions will centre on enhancing beneficiation and value addition, particularly through cut rag and cigarette manufacturing, alongside exploring innovative financing mechanisms to overcome investment barriers.
The agenda also includes sessions on global market shifts, empowering farmers through value-added products, leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), maximising yields and strengthening risk mitigation strategies for farmers.
The conference is expected to lay the groundwork for strategic investments and policy reforms designed to bolster the competitiveness and long-term viability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector.
Currently, Zimbabwe exports the bulk of its tobacco unprocessed, meaning it loses significant potential value.
Beneficiation and value addition, a core theme of the conference, are crucial to realising greater value, creating jobs and empowering farmers through potentially better prices for their green leaf once it is processed domestically.
“Having achieved a remarkable milestone in tobacco production, the focus must now decisively shift to beneficiation,” Zimpapers Business Hub and Events editor Hebert Zharare said.
“This conference is a critical step in Zimbabwe’s national strategy to unlock the full economic potential of our tobacco.
“By moving beyond raw exports into value-added products, we are not just increasing revenue; we are building local industries, creating sustainable jobs and empowering our farmers to secure a more prosperous future for themselves and the nation.”
The conference is part of a broader initiative by Zimpapers, the country’s leading integrated media group, which has expanded its role beyond traditional news dissemination to actively convene platforms for discussions on critical national development issues.