Balancing Tobacco Dependency and Agricultural Diversification: Strategies for Sustainable Development and Trade in Zimbabwe

This Report was written by Rangarirai Machemedze and Artwell Kadungure from Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Support Institute (SEATINI) and Training and Research Support Centre (TARSC). The report examined opportunities for transitioning from tobacco farming in Zimbabwe through a trade and industrialization lens. The researchers assess existing policies influencing alternative crop development, such as the National Agriculture Policy Framework (NAPF), the Pfumvudza Programme, and the Bioeconomy Strategy, as well as the institutions involved. The findings suggest that gaps in institutional coordination and implementation limit the scale of the impact of existing policies for agricultural diversification. Local governments also play an important role in supporting farmers, although they are often constrained by broader development agendas and complex political economy, which result in disparities in market access and infrastructure. The country primarily imports staple food crops, including maize, rice, and wheat due to climate variability, production challenges, population growth, and economic constraints. The cost of importing these goods has risen in recent years, straining local food systems and foreign currency reserves. Tobacco, meanwhile, makes up more than 50% of agricultural export revenue, displacing staple crop production. These trends highlight a need to reduce dependence on tobacco and invest in alternate crops to meet national and international demand. The report concludes by outlining a cohesive strategy with policy and trade recommendations to diversify crops and improve public and fiscal health accordingly.

You can also access the report here.