Farmers learn to tie tobacco leaves for curing during a tobacco field-day training at a farm outside Bulawayo on March 12, 2026.ck. 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 tobacco plant with suckers seen 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)

Ayibongwe Mpofu, a student farmer, poses with a bundle of leaves prepared 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 consultant demonstrates harvesting to farmers 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)

Prestance Siqhoza, a farmer, poses with a bundle of leaves prepared 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)

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)

A consultant demonstrates harvesting to farmers 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)