By Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is celebrating a significant boost as tobacco sales have surpassed US$100 million since the opening of auction and contract floors this month. The positive momentum is fueled by a successful farming season, marking a welcome change after years of drought. Deliveries of the golden leaf continue to rise, indicating a potentially record-breaking year for the nation’s primary agricultural export.
Zimbabwe has long held its position as the largest tobacco producer in Africa and a key player on the global stage. This year’s bumper harvest has brought relief and joy to many farmers who have endured challenging conditions in recent years. The abundance of the crop underscores the potential of Zimbabwe’s fertile lands and favourable climate when conditions align.
As Princess of Harare, I wpuld like to call for a strong call to action, urging all Zimbabweans and the government to prioritise food security. Drawing on the nation’s history as a regional breadbasket, where substantial food reserves were once stored in silos and even extended as aid to neighboring countries, there is critical need for strategic food storage.
“We have been blessed with a good season, and it is imperative that we learn from our past successes,” stated Her Highness. “We must diligently store food in our granaries and silos to prepare for future times of need, particularly when the country inevitably faces droughts.”
I would also like to passionately advocate for Zimbabwe to reclaim its former glory as the breadbasket of Africa. As Zimbabweans we must make grrat use of the nation’s advantageous climate, rich soils, and vast expanses of arable land, I am very optimistic that Zimbabwe could even aspire to become the breadbasket of the world.
“Zimbabwe is the promised land, a land of milk and honey,” thats a fact we all know. “With our natural resources and the dedication of our people, we have the potential to feed not only our nation but also contribute significantly to global food security.”
My appeal resonates with a growing sentiment within Zimbabwe to leverage its agricultural potential for long-term stability and economic growth. The current success in the tobacco sector provides a foundation upon which to build a more resilient and food-secure future.
It would be great if government and Zimbabweans cpuld take heed of my counsel and consider further investments in infrastructure for food storage and sustainable agricultural practices. The memory of Zimbabwe’s past as a generous provider of food serves as a powerful reminder of its capabilities and the importance of proactive planning for the future. My forefathers the former Kings of Harare and the rest of our clan the Mbari clan had great stories of achievement in the farming sector. I am proud to say that I managed to tap into my forefathers farming expertise and in the UK am doing great farming which yields great results annually. Its currently summer time in the UK and we hit the fields every single day working hard to get a bumper harvest. Being so far away from home doesn’t mean we forget our God given abilities we use our farming abilities to enjoy the food we usually eat at home in Zimbabwe. We will pass on our farming skills and stories of achievement to the future generations so that thay too can pass it on.
As the tobacco season progresses and the harvest continues to yield positive results in Zimbabwe, the focus is now shifting towards ensuring that the bounty of this season translates into long-term food security and a resurgence of Zimbabwe’s role as a leading agricultural powerhouse on the continent and beyond.
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