Kutsaga, formerly known as the Tobacco Research Board, has approved new tobacco agrochemicals to help farmers produce high-quality crops that are acceptable on the global markets, reports News Day.

All tobacco growers, contractors, merchants and agrochemical companies were informed about the approval of the new agrochemicals that Kutsaga hopes will improve the quality of tobacco.
“As over 90 per cent of the Zimbabwean tobacco crop is exported, the tobacco must meet stringent international agrochemical regulations for international acceptance and maintenance of markets especially in an increasingly competitive global market,” Kutsaga said. “Furthermore, compliance with global health standards, correct and safe use of crop protection agents as well as good agronomic practices in tobacco production is key to sustainable agriculture.”
At the same time, it was declared that some agrochemicals are no longer allowed to be used on tobacco due to safety concerns, reports News Day.
Kutsaga said it would continue to work with tobacco growers and farmers to achieve, high yielding, high quality and multi-disease resistant genetics. This is in line with Zimbabwe’s goal of producing 300 million kg of tobacco by 2025 and develop the industry to USD 5 billion under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy, according to News Day.