Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe’s chief executive officer, Dr. Rebecca Manford, welcomed the government’s extension of the seedbed destruction date to January 15, saying it would allow more farmers to continue transplanting as the nation approaches its shisha tobacco target.
“For the 2024-25 season, the target is 514 hectares, and so far, 450 have been planted, making the set goal achievable,” Manford said. “Cavendish Lloyd has contracted 149 growers to produce a target yield of 775,000 kilograms, and with the ongoing support to farmers, we are optimistic of achieving this goal while ensuring a high-quality crop.”
Now in its third year in production in Zimbabwe, Manford said the nation could become a significant player in the global shisha tobacco market with the crop driving economic growth and farmer empowerment. For this to happen, the farmers need the government to continue with its incentives which include expanding irrigation infrastructure, helping secure new export markets, and investing in research to develop high-yielding varieties, as well as subsidized inputs, loans, or grants. Cavendish Lloyd is currently the only registered and licensed shisha merchant by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
Statistics from TIMB show commercial shisha production rose from 110 hectares in 2022-23 to 407 hectares in 2023-24, totaling nearly 400,000 kilograms worth US$1.3 million.
Prolonged dry spells and insufficient irrigation facilities made farmers hesitant to jump into full-scale production, however, recent rains have made a positive impact on the crop. Cavendish Lloyd has begun an awareness campaign to attract more growers, that includes technical training and engagement with stakeholders to promote sustainable production solutions.
