National News

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US Ambassador Pamela Tremont has urged Zimbabwe to harness artificial intelligence, strengthen global partnerships and maintain economic reforms to unlock sustainable growth and attract more investment. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce in Zimbabwe’s AI and Cyber Conference, Ambassador Tremont said AI is transforming sectors including mining, agriculture, healthcare and finance, creating opportunities for […]

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has called on the public to stop the indiscriminate killing of snakes, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining ecological balance, protecting biodiversity and supporting agricultural productivity. In a statement issued to mark World Snake Day on July 16, ZimParks said snakes are an essential part of the […]

Victoria Falls has become the focal point of Africa’s efforts to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems as the Annual Expert Group Meeting for African Registrars General on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) got underway yesterday. The high-level gathering has brought together representatives from all 54 African Union member states to review progress […]

TIMB Urges Adoption of Drought-Tolerant Tobacco Varieties Ahead of Potential El Niño Season The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has called on dryland tobacco farmers to adopt drought-tolerant tobacco varieties as part of efforts to safeguard production against forecast below-normal rainfall and the potential impact of a super El Niño during the 2026/27 agricultural season. In an advisory to growers, TIMB said projections from the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) indicate a likelihood of reduced rainfall, making it essential for farmers to select tobacco varieties best suited to anticipated weather conditions, rainfall patterns and available irrigation resources. The board highlighted the importance of climate-smart farming practices, noting that the choice of appropriate seed varieties will play a critical role in maintaining productivity and crop quality under increasingly challenging climatic conditions. TIMB identified established Kutsaga tobacco varieties KRK71 and KRK75 as among the most reliable options for moisture-stressed environments, citing their deep root systems and proven ability to perform well under drought conditions. The board also encouraged farmers to consider newer climate-resilient varieties, including T78, T79, T80 and T81, which were specifically developed to thrive in dry, high-temperature and low-rainfall environments. According to TIMB, these advanced varieties utilise a drought-escape mechanism that enables plants to complete critical growth stages before severe moisture stress occurs, thereby reducing the risk of significant yield losses. Farmers with access to irrigation were urged to carefully align their choice of tobacco variety with available water resources to optimise yields, maintain leaf quality and enhance overall crop performance. The advisory forms part of broader efforts to strengthen climate resilience within Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector as stakeholders prepare for a potentially challenging agricultural season and work to sustain production in the face of changing weather patterns.

July 17, 2026

TIMB Urges Adoption of Drought-Tolerant Tobacco Varieties Ahead of Potential El Niño Season The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has called on dryland tobacco farmers to adopt drought-tolerant tobacco varieties as part of efforts to safeguard production against forecast below-normal rainfall and the potential impact of a super El Niño during the 2026/27 agricultural […]

Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector registered robust growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by rising demand for data services, expanding digital connectivity and continued investment in modern communications infrastructure. According to the First Quarter 2026 Postal and Telecommunications Sector Performance Report released by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, active mobile […]

The Treasury has released ZWG200 million and US$8 million to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to accelerate payments to farmers and sustain grain deliveries during the current marketing season, in a move aimed at strengthening agricultural production and national food security. Announcing the development, GMB Chief Executive Officer Dr Edson Badarai said the latest disbursement […]

The Government has intensified support for Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, with nearly 100,000 citizens processed through Beitbridge Border Post since late May, prompting the expansion of a coordinated national reintegration programme. Speaking during the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe said a total of 99,418 Zimbabweans […]

The Government has approved a comprehensive six-point Summer Cropping Plan designed to protect national food security, strengthen agricultural resilience and support farmers ahead of a forecast drier-than-normal 2026/27 farming season associated with a potential El Niño weather pattern. The proactive strategy forms part of broader efforts to cushion the country against climate-related risks while ensuring […]

Zimbabwe has recorded single-digit annual inflation for the first time in more than 30 years, averaging 4.4 percent between January and June 2026, in a major milestone that reflects the success of ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising the economy. The achievement was highlighted during a meeting between the Ministry of Finance, Economic […]

The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a warning that a strong El Niño weather pattern could develop later this year, heightening the risk of extreme weather events across many regions of the world. The alert comes amid continued warming of sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, a key indicator closely […]


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