BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
In a season defined by climate adversity and economic pressure, Enias Sadzauchi, a smallholder tobacco farmer from Zvirugwi in Gutu, has emerged as a symbol of excellence and determination, winning top honours at the recently held Tobacco Field Day.
The event, hosted at Sadzauchi’s homestead, brought together farmers, extension officers, tobacco merchants, and government officials to witness firsthand the farming innovations and practices that have set him apart from his peers.
Sadzauchi’s winning field, meticulously laid out and irrigated, demonstrated a mastery of agronomic practices in an otherwise difficult season. His tobacco crop stood lush and uniform, an impressive feat given that Zimbabwe’s overall tobacco output declined from 296 million kilograms in 2023 to 231 million kilograms in the 2024 season. The drop was largely attributed to the El Niño-induced drought that gripped much of the southern African region.
Speaking to Hevoi FM News on at the event, Sadzauchi credited his success to “early land preparation, adherence to good agricultural practices, and continuous learning from extension workers.” His disciplined approach stood in sharp contrast to the challenges that have hampered many farmers, including erratic rainfall, rising input costs, and delayed payments from contractors.
Despite the seasonal downturn, optimism abounds within Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector. The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) projects a rebound in production, forecasting a 2025 target of 300 million kilograms. This resurgence is expected to be fuelled by favourable rainfall patterns, improved access to inputs, and the resilience of smallholder farmers like Sadzauchi, who now account for over 85% of tobacco growers in Zimbabwe.
Additionally, tobacco seed sales for the 2024/25 season have increased by 20%, surpassing 1,000 kilograms, a strong indicator of renewed farmer confidence and expansion plans.
TIMB official and agronomist, Rumbidzai Mutsvairo, who adjudicated the competition, praised Sadzauchi’s meticulous record-keeping and environmental stewardship. “What we saw here is more than a well-managed crop. We saw conservation tillage, effective pest control, and sustainable woodlot management for curing, critical in the fight against deforestation,” she said.
Tobacco farming remains one of Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earners, contributing over US$1 billion annually. However, it also poses environmental challenges. A 2024 Open Democracy report highlighted that tobacco curing accounts for over 15% of the country’s annual deforestation rate, with most small-scale farmers relying on indigenous firewood.
Sadzauchi has taken steps to reduce his ecological footprint by planting eucalyptus trees on his land, which he uses for fuelwood during the curing process. His initiative supports TIMB’s push for afforestation and sustainable farming.
Beyond his personal success, Sadzauchi is emerging as a community role model. He regularly mentors younger farmers and shares insights through local WhatsApp farming groups. “If we uplift each other, the whole community benefits,” he remarked.
Plans are already underway to establish a Farmer Field School in Zvirugwi using Sadzauchi’s plot as a demonstration site. Such peer-led initiatives are increasingly seen as key to building climate-smart agriculture in rural Zimbabwe.
As Zimbabwe aims to diversify its agricultural exports while maintaining its dominance in tobacco, stories like Sadzauchi’s offer a blueprint for sustainable growth. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a national example echoes the potential of Zimbabwe’s smallholder base when supported by training, inputs, and market access.
The Tobacco Field Day in Gutu was more than a celebration, it was a call to action for farmers to adopt best practices, for policymakers to scale support, and for stakeholders to ensure that tobacco farming remains viable, profitable, and sustainable.
“The land rewards those who respect it,” Sadzauchi said with a smile, standing amid golden rows of cured tobacco. “I am proof that farming with knowledge and heart brings good returns.” (7 February 2025 )