Kutsaga Research develops climate-resilient tobacco varieties

Edgar Vhera

Specialist Writer – Agribusiness

KUTSAGA Research Institute has developed climate-smart tobacco varieties to cushion farmers and protect the billion-dollar industry from the looming super El Niño threat.

This is in fulfilment of the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan 2 (TVCTP 2), whose overarching goal is to build a US$7 billion tobacco industry by 2030.

Among the seven pillars anchoring TVCTP 2 lies the enhancing productivity, sustainability and farmer resilience pillar, which seeks to increase tobacco production from 355 million kg to 500 million kg by 2030 through climate-smart agriculture, irrigation development and mechanisation.

Farmers have sold 359 million kilogrammes of the golden leaf, generating US$900 million.

The tobacco auction market officially closed on July 31, while contractors have continued buying tobacco from their farmers

Kutsaga is specifically mandated with pillar 5 (Research, Development and Innovation) where it is expected to drive the development of high-yield, climate-resilient tobacco varieties and advance sustainable curing technologies.

Speaking at this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), which ended on Saturday, Kutsaga Research plant breeder, Mr Francis Mukoyi, said their institute was showcasing technologies and products designed to help farmers withstand climate shocks while improving productivity, efficiency and profitability.

The development comes as Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector faces increasing pressure from erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, rising temperatures and the need to produce more efficiently from limited natural resources.

Kutsaga is demonstrating how research and innovation are being translated into practical solutions across the tobacco production chain, from seed and seedling production to curing.

The research institution has developed and evaluated tobacco varieties designed to perform under challenging growing conditions, including drought-prone environments.

“The portfolio includes drought-tolerant varieties such as KRK71 and KRK75, which have vigorous, deep-rooting characteristics that enable plants to access moisture deeper in the soil.

“Kutsaga has also developed the T-Series climate-smart varieties namely T78, T79, T80 and T81, which have a drought-escape mechanism that allows them to establish rapidly and mature before severe late-season moisture stress,” said Kutsaga

The varieties form part of Kutsaga’s broader effort to ensure that farmers have genetic options suited to increasingly variable climatic conditions. Kutsaga said climate-smart agriculture starts from the seedling production stage through its float seedbed technologies and products.

“Healthy, vigorous seedlings with strong root systems are critical for successful crop establishment, particularly when crops are exposed to heat and moisture stress after transplanting.

“Kutsaga’s float-bed technologies and associated products are designed to support efficient seedling production while improving uniformity and seedling quality,” said Kutsaga in an advisory.

By improving seedling quality before transplanting, farmers can establish crops more efficiently and give plants a stronger foundation for coping with environmental stress.

Kutsaga’s climate-smart programme extends beyond crop establishment to one of the most energy-intensive stages of tobacco production, curing. The institution is working to improve tobacco curing technology to increase energy efficiency and improve the management of curing conditions.

A key area of ongoing research is the testing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biogas-fuelled tobacco curing systems, providing potential alternatives to conventional fuel sources. The trials are part of Kutsaga’s efforts to explore technologies that can reduce pressure on traditional energy resources while maintaining the controlled conditions required to produce quality cured tobacco.

For tobacco farmers, this means combining appropriate varieties, quality seedlings, efficient water management, sound agronomy, improved barn technology and alternative energy solutions.

According to Kutsaga, climate information can also support earlier decision-making, allowing farmers to select appropriate varieties and adjust production practices before adverse conditions occur.