By Itai Mazire

The Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) has stood firm against sanctions imposed on the country by implementing innovative policy reforms that have placed over 100,000 farmers in the upper-middle-income bracket, fulfilling President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 five years ahead of schedule.

TIMB Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Matsvaire, said under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the sector smashed records, with farmers pocketing at least USD 9,000 each.

“In 2025, the nation produced a record-breaking 355 million kilogrammes of tobacco — the highest in the country’s history — and farmers earned USD 1.2 billion, marking the first time ever that Zimbabwe’s growers have collectively earned over a billion dollars.

“On average, each of our 135,000 growers earned about USD 9,000, placing most of them in the upper-middle-income bracket and fulfilling His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, years ahead of schedule,” said Matsvaire.

He said these achievements are a direct result of government-led policy reforms and sector coordination under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP), which aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“TIMB has also spearheaded key initiatives that reinforce the nation’s independence and sustainability.

“Through local financing of tobacco production, which now covers 67 percent of seasonal requirements, we have reduced dependency on external financing.

“Another initiative is the promotion of value addition and beneficiation, which has increased the processing of tobacco locally from 2 to over 10 percent, including the establishment of Africa’s first nicotine extraction plant,” said Mr. Matsvaire.

He said TIMB will continue playing a critical role in ensuring that the tobacco industry increases foreign currency earnings, rural development, and employment.

“Today, tobacco directly supports over 200,000 households and remains Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export. TIMB remains committed to the President’s call for industrialisation, value addition, and sustainable economic growth.

“Working with all stakeholders, the Board continues to position Zimbabwe as Africa’s tobacco powerhouse and a global centre of excellence for sustainable tobacco production and trade,” added Mr. Matsvaire.

A newly established US$30 million fruit juice processing plant in Beitbridge has officially begun operations, creating over 300 jobs and marking a major step forward in Zimbabwe’s rural industrialisation and value-addition drive.

The Orange Ville Fruit Processing Plant, which became operational in July 2025, currently operates at partial capacity but is already handling 500 to 600 tonnes of citrus fruit daily, according to Brandon Park, a representative of Orange Ville Trading (Pvt) Ltd.

“Our operations started in early July, and so far, we’ve processed around 25,000 tonnes of oranges and 5,000 tonnes of grapefruit. The plant’s full capacity is 1,400 tonnes per day, which we expect to reach within the next decade as our orchards mature,” said Park.

Once operating at full scale, the plant is projected to employ more than 3,000 people, providing significant economic benefits to Matabeleland South Province and surrounding rural communities.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Albert Nguluvhe, praised the investment, saying it aligns with the Second Republic’s vision of empowering rural communities through industrial growth.

“This development demonstrates the government’s commitment to rural industrialisation and job creation. It has opened new opportunities for our people here in Beitbridge,” said Nguluvhe.

Nearby Nottingham Estates, which supplies fruit to the plant, has also become a model for integrated rural development — combining commercial agriculture, eco-tourism, and renewable energy projects.

Managing Director Andrew Nott revealed that the estate currently farms 960 hectares, with 650 hectares already bearing fruit, and plans to expand to 1,500 hectares next year.

During a tour of the facility, Vice President (Rtd) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga commended the progress and pledged government support for the Zhovhe–Beitbridge canal project, which will enhance irrigation and sustain citrus farming in the region.

“This is exactly the kind of rural industrialisation we envision. The government will move swiftly to complete the 63-kilometre Zhovhe–Beitbridge canal to ensure water security for these projects,” said the Vice President.

With around 70% of the processed juice destined for export markets, the Beitbridge plant is expected to boost foreign currency earnings and contribute to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 transforming the country into an upper-middle-income economy through agro-based value addition and employment creation.

By Itai Mazire

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) in the 2024/25 tobacco season played a pivotal role in bolstering economic growth and propelling the national vision of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030, amid revelations that over 100,000 growers pocketed at least USD 9,000 each.

TIMB Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Matsvaire, said that under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the sector experienced a record-breaking boom.

“In 2025, the nation produced a record-breaking 355 million kilogrammes of tobacco, the highest in the country’s history, and farmers earned USD 1.2 billion — the first time ever that Zimbabwe’s growers have collectively earned over a billion dollars.

“On average, each of our 135,000 growers earned about USD 9,000, placing most of them in the upper-middle-income bracket, fulfilling His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, years ahead of schedule,” said Matsvaire.

He said these achievements are a direct result of government-led policy reforms and sector coordination under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP), which aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“TIMB has also spearheaded key initiatives that reinforce the nation’s independence and sustainability.

“Through local financing of tobacco production, which now covers 67 percent of seasonal requirements, dependency on external financing has been reduced.

“Another initiative is the promotion of value addition and beneficiation, increasing local tobacco processing from 2 to over 10 percent, including the establishment of Africa’s first nicotine extraction plant,” said Mr. Matsvaire.

He said TIMB will continue playing a critical role in ensuring that the tobacco industry increases foreign currency earnings, rural development, and employment.

“Today, tobacco directly supports over 200,000 households and remains Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export. TIMB remains committed to the President’s call for industrialisation, value addition, and sustainable economic growth.

“Working with all stakeholders, the Board continues to position Zimbabwe as Africa’s tobacco powerhouse and a global centre of excellence for sustainable tobacco production and trade,” added Mr. Matsvaire.