Tobacco Farmers in Manicaland Suffer Crop Losses Due to Unpredictable Rainfall Patterns

By Shingirai Vambe

Tobacco farmers in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, are reeling from crop losses due to uncertain rainfall trends caused by the El Niño-induced drought. The region, known for its fertile soils and favorable climate for tobacco production, has been severely impacted by the unpredictable weather patterns.

According to experts, Zimbabwe has been receiving rains from cyclone-prone areas, which is a side effect of the cyclone rather than proper rains from the expected seasonal patterns. This has resulted in heavy rains and hailstorms in some areas, damaging the crop’s leaf and disrupting the growing cycle.

Tendai Gotora, a tobacco farmer from Headlands, shared his experience. “We failed to produce as we expected,” he said.

“Some areas were affected by heavy rains and hailstorms, damaging the crop’s leaf. After the full growing cycle, the pace at which the golden leaf matured reduced, forcing us to quickly remove it for curing.”

Gotora highlighted the challenges faced by farmers like him. “We don’t have enough tobacco curing barns, and with an uneven growing pace, we were forced to quickly remove our produce without proper curing, which I suspect affected the quality of my tobacco.”

Smallholder farmers like Gotora bear the brunt of climate-related losses due to the lack of insurance to recover from unforeseen circumstances.

“Agriculture is sustainable under irrigation,” said experts, emphasizing the need for investment in irrigation systems to mitigate the effects of drought.

Gotora has shifted focus to maize production, which has proven more resilient.

“We are now focusing on our maize plants,” he said.

“We managed to harvest maize than tobacco this year, which we think will sustain us until the next farming season.”

Selective crops like small grains are more sustainable under the current circumstances. These crops are more resilient to unpredictable weather patterns and can provide a stable source of income for farmers. As the country navigates the challenges posed by climate change, farmers and policymakers must work together to develop strategies to support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agriculture practices.