Judith Choto, registers in a biometric system at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

Farm workers bundle tobacco leaves for curing in a climate-smart barn at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. A climate-smart tobacco barn is an energy-efficient, sustainable curing facility designed to reduce fuel consumption (wood or coal), lower carbon emissions, and minimise deforestation in tobacco farming. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

Tobacco farmers register in a biometric system at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

A consultant teaches farmers how to tie tobacco leaves for curing during a tobacco field-day training at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

Farmers learn to tie tobacco leaves for curing during a tobacco field-day training at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

A farm worker carries a bundle of tobacco leaves for curing in a climate-smart barn at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. A climate-smart tobacco barn is an energy-efficient, sustainable curing facility designed to reduce fuel consumption (wood or coal), lower carbon emissions, and minimise deforestation in tobacco farming. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

Farmers look on a mobile device during a field day training at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial image of a tobacco field at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026. Matabeleland farmers joined on recently introduced tobacco farming to fight pests, climate change and human wildlife conflict as they seek to diversify their income from livestock. Zimbabwe's tobacco crop -- Africa's largest -- has rebounded to record levels, driven by smallholders contracted to mainly Chinese firms and despite concerns about debt, dependence and deforestation. From 306 million kilogrammes in 2024, production soared to 355 million kg in 2025, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. A harvest over 360 million kg is expected this year after a 15 percent increase in the planted area. (Photo by Zinyange Auntony / AFP via Getty Images)