A transformation plan approved by the Cabinet is set to transform the tobacco industry, making it more reliant on local financing with locally-made cigarettes accounting for a large share of exports, reports The Herald.

The Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan will look into local funding of tobacco as well as aiming to raise tobacco production and productivity from 262 million kilogrammes to 300 million kilogrammes by 2025. The plan aims to increase the level of value addition and beneficiation of tobacco from two per cent of total tobacco produced to 30 per cent to increase exports of cigarettes, according to The Herald. It also plans to diversify and increase alternative crops like medicinal cannabis, which should lead to an increase in farmers’ income by 25 per cent by 2025.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that the tobacco industry would grow through the localisation of tobacco financing as well as increased production and productivity, value addition and beneficiation, and exports of cigarettes.
“The initiatives should contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product growth, foreign currency generation and employment creation, thereby raising household incomes in pursuit of Vision 2030,” she said.