Can farmers diversify from growing tobacco in Zimbabwe?

Abstract: Firm action has been taken by international organisations such as the FAO and the World Bank to curb the growth and consumption of tobacco. Subsequently, one of the world’s poorest countries, Zimbabwe, is also one of the largest producers of tobacco. This thesis examines how Zimbabwean farmers are diversifying from tobacco. The paper employs qualitative methods to clarify the notion of livelihood diversification amongst farmers. The fieldwork was carried out during the peak of the tobacco selling season in the north and north eastern regions of Zimbabwe and semi-structured interviews, observations and transect walks were carried out with tobacco farmers and a variety of professionals from the tobacco industry.