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Preparing for the 2026–27 El Niño season: Variety selection for successful tobacco production
The forecast of a possible super El Niño during the 2026-27 agricultural season has understandably raised concerns among farmers across Zimbabwe. El Niño conditions are often associated with below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, high temperatures, and increased moisture stress factors that can significantly reduce crop productivity if farmers are unprepared. However, an El Niño forecast…
Dr Rob Garvin honoured with 2026 CFU Farming Oscar award
Dr Robert Traill Garvin has been named the recipient of the Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) annual Farming Oscar for 2026, in recognition of his many years of service to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. Presented during the 83rd Commercial Farmers’ Union Annual Congress at ART Farm in Harare last week, the award recognises more than five decades of…
Illegal tobacco seed crackdown begins as Government moves to protect Zimbabwe’s biggest agricultural export
With Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry generating more than USD 876 million to date during the 2026 marketing season, Government has launched a coordinated national campaign to eliminate illegal tobacco seed varieties, warning growers that crops established from unregistered seed will be destroyed and offenders prosecuted. The move comes as farmers across the country begin establishing seedbeds…
Top studs ready for Zimbabwe’s premier breed sale
Zimbabwe’s leading livestock breeders will showcase some of the country’s finest genetics at the 58th National Breed Sale at the CC Sales Mt Hampden sales pens on Friday, 31 July, with 136 quality animals set to go under the hammer. The catalogue features an impressive selection of 74 bulls, including 47 Brahman, 12 Tuli, six Boran,…
The flower seed production project transforming rural livelihoods
What began as a small experiment on a family farm in Kadoma has grown into a thriving contract seed production programme benefiting more than 1,000 smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Charlene Mathonsi and her business partner, Douglas Alexander, have built Amalubarina into a successful flower seed enterprise that is changing lives across Nkayi and Gokwe. Mathonsi,…
Global tobacco leaf market returns to oversupply as growers face renewed pricing pressure
The global tobacco leaf market has entered a new period of adjustment, with increased production, rising costs and changing buying patterns creating fresh challenges for growers around the world. This was the key message delivered by Ivan Genov, Manager of Analysis at the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA), during his presentation at the Zimbabwe Tobacco…
Cows on water: What a Dutch floating farm can teach Zimbabwe’s farmers
When most farmers think about expanding production, they think about acquiring more land, drilling more boreholes, or increasing inputs. But what if the future of farming lies not in having more resources, but in making better use of the resources we already have? That question is being answered in one of the most unlikely places…
Thoughts of a Zimbabwean farmer
By Tatendaishe C. Ukama (Smallholder integrated farmers and founder of Lemonhead Aggregation Centre) As I step onto the land that has been my family’s legacy for generations, I am filled with a sense of purpose and passion. Farming is not just a profession for me; it is a way of life. The smell of fresh…
Indigenous breeds take centre stage at third ADMA sale
The final day of the 2026 ADMA Agrishow belonged to Zimbabwe’s indigenous livestock breeds, as breeders, buyers and enthusiasts gathered for the 3rd Indigenous Breeds Sale, showcasing the country’s celebrated Sanga cattle – the Mashona, Nkone and Tuli. This year’s sale marked an important milestone with the inclusion of small stock (sheep) for the first…
Zimbabwe issues early El Niño warning ahead of 2026/27 rainy season
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s weather authorities have issued an early preliminary warning over a possible El Niño event during the 2026/27 rainy season, urging the public and key sectors to begin precautionary planning while cautioning against panic-driven decisions. The Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (MSD) announced on 29 April 2026 that global climate forecasting centres are indicating…