HARARE, Jul. 2 (NewsDay Live) – Outgoing International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) president José Javier Aranda has urged governments, merchants and contractors to prioritise farmers’ livelihoods, warning that the sustainability of the global tobacco industry depends on growers earning a living income.
Addressing delegates at the ITGA Africa Regional Meeting 2026 in Harare, Aranda said tobacco growers continued to shoulder the greatest risks in the value chain while receiving diminishing returns.
“There can be no sustainable supply chains without sustainable livelihoods,” Aranda said in his farewell address as ITGA president.
He said increasing production costs, climate change, stricter regulations and challenges attracting younger farmers into agriculture were placing immense pressure on tobacco producers.
“Our industry continues to generate value and profits from production, while growers bear considerable risks and make the substantial investments upon which the entire supply chain depends,” Aranda said.
“As margins and profits continue to increase for companies throughout the value chain, we must ensure that this progress is also reflected in growers’ incomes.”
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Aranda thanked Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka for his support of the tobacco industry, saying government engagement had helped ensure the sector received the recognition it deserved.
Speaking earlier, Masuka set aside protocol to speak from personal experience as a tobacco farmer.
“I am a tobacco farmer and I started in 1985. Tobacco is in my veins,” he said.
“This year prices were unpleasant. I was also affected.”
Masuka said tobacco production costs had risen by about 90% since 2017, calling for customised farmer support, demand-driven extension services and targeted input supply to improve profitability.
“Tobacco pays our bills and we must see that improvement done,” he said.
Industry representatives also warned that oversupply had strained contractors and financiers, reducing margins available for investment in Zimbabwe and other tobacco-producing countries.
Aranda concluded by calling for collective action to improve growers’ livelihoods, particularly for small-scale farmers.
“Every stakeholder in our industry has a role to play. Let us join forces to find solutions that strengthen our industry while ensuring that growers receive the recognition and support they deserve,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector supports about 135,000 growers and millions of livelihoods across the value chain.
The ITGA Africa Regional Meeting opened on Monday with a field tour of tobacco farmers in Shamva and concludes on Friday.