The Tobacco Research Board (TRB), trading as Kutsaga, is celebrating 75 years of excellence in tobacco research. To mark the diamond jubilee, Kutsaga held a tobacco seed and variety field day at Kutsaga Research Station on 6 February, 2025, to celebrate progress in tobacco cultivation and it’s impact on the entire value chain.
The field day was attended by hundreds of stakeholders in the tobacco industry, who included tobacco farmers, merchants, traders, government officials, suppliers, tobacco companies, and agro-chemicals companies, just to mention a few.
Tobacco seed and variety field day was marked by demonstrations by Kutsaga, seed and variety development updates, and interactive field discussions with experts, including networking opportunities with growers, merchants, suppliers, and regulators, just to mention a few.
According to Dr Frank Magama, Kutsaga Chief Executive Officer for over seven decades, the Tobacco Research Board has been a leader in tobacco science, playing a significant role in Zimbabwe’s agricultural success and the global tobacco value chain.
He said that the variety and seed production field day highlights the journey in tobacco varietal development, showcasing innovations that have improved productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in the tobacco industry.
Dr Magama said that the field day also provided an opportunity for key stakeholder engagement across the entire tobacco value chain, fostering invaluable connections and setting an optimistic tone for the upcoming tobacco marketing season.
The day, according to Dr Magama was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements made under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, underscoring the collaborative efforts that have driven progress within the tobacco industry.
He added that Kutsaga is not just marking the diamond jubilee but celebrating 75 years of partnership, innovation, and progress. He said that for three quarters of a century, the TRB has been at the forefront, developing cutting-edge seed varieties, pioneering sustainable farming practices, and providing invaluable support to the country’s growers.
“l must strongly stress that the success of the Zimbabwean tobacco industry is a collective effort. It is built on the hard work and dedication of our farmers, the expertise of our researchers, the support of our industry partners, and the enabling environment provided by the government, “Dr Magama said.
He added that the field day provided a chance to witness firsthand the fruits of the labor.
The day showcased decades of excellence in tobacco breeding, the old, current, new, and experimental lines all bred for higher yields, better quality, and increased resistance to pests and diseases. Dr Magama described it as a tobacco genetics showcase.
He said that as Kutsaga looks forward in the next 25 years, they know that challenges lie ahead. He added that climate change, evolving consumer preferences, and the ever-changing global landscape, demand that they remain agile, innovative, and united.
In his keynote address, Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development, said the milestone is not merely a celebration of the institution’s endurance but a recognition of its pivotal role in shaping the tobacco value chain and the nation’s agricultural legacy.
