Glyphosate in Zimbabwe: Navigating the Global Controversy and Local Realities
Glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, has been the centre of a fierce global debate over its safety, environmental impact, and regulatory future. Known internationally through products like Monsanto’s Roundup, glyphosate’s use spans millions of acres in agriculture worldwide. As the United States and other countries reconsider their regulatory positions amid health concerns and mounting legal challenges, Zimbabwean farmers face pressing questions about the chemical’s safety and long-term effects on human and environmental health.
Understanding glyphosate’s global context
Introduced by Monsanto in 1974, glyphosate transformed farming practices by enabling no-till agriculture, which helped reduce soil erosion and improve yield efficiency. Over the decades, regulatory bodies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Health Canada, and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority initially classified glyphosate as safe when used according to label directions.
However, in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” citing limited evidence in humans and sufficient animal data. This classification heightened the scrutiny on glyphosate, resulting in phased bans or regulations in several countries, including some within the European Union.
The United States remains a battleground: while the EPA has maintained glyphosate’s safety classification, recent civil litigation has challenged this stance, with Bayer – Monsanto’s parent company since 2020 – agreeing to billions in settlements related to claims of non-Hodgkin lymphoma linked to glyphosate exposure.
Glyphosate in Zimbabwe: Suppliers, usage, and regulations
Zimbabwe relies on glyphosate-based herbicides primarily as a cost-effective weed control solution in both commercial farming and smallholder sectors. The main suppliers of glyphosate in Zimbabwe include local distributors of global agrochemical companies and various registered agricultural input companies, sourcing formulations consistent with international standards.
The chemical composition of glyphosate herbicides available in Zimbabwe generally mirrors the formulation used globally: glyphosate is the active ingredient, often formulated as glyphosate isopropylamine salt at concentrations ranging between 36% and 41%. These formulations are chemically comparable to Monsanto’s Roundup products, though the exact inert ingredients may vary by manufacturer and may affect toxicity and environmental impact.
In Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC) and local agro-dealers import and distribute glyphosate products. Suppliers adhere to guidelines set by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the Pest Control Product Board (PCPB), ensuring compliance with safety regulations, although enforcement and farmer awareness remain challenges.
Impact on Zimbabwean farmers and the environment
Glyphosate plays an essential role in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to improve crop production efficiencies, particularly for maize, tobacco, and horticultural crops. No-till farming, facilitated by glyphosate, is promoted to conserve soil moisture and prevent erosion, which align with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) objectives promoting sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.
Despite these benefits, concerns are rising among Zimbabwean farmers and smallholder communities over the herbicide’s health and environmental implications. Anecdotal reports highlight worries about crop contamination, potential long-term health risks—including possible links to cancer—and impacts on soil biodiversity.
Nevertheless, the lack of local scientific research and comprehensive toxicological studies on glyphosate in Zimbabwe means these reports are difficult to verify currently. Yet, knowledge gaps increase the urgency for focused national studies aligned with WHO and FAO standards.
Zimbabwe’s policy approach and international lessons
The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture coordinate on pesticide regulatory frameworks, but glyphosate-specific policies and public education remain limited. Zimbabwe follows regional guidelines set out by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and international protocols. However, unlike countries in the European Union moving toward glyphosate phaseouts, Zimbabwe continues to permit its usage, balancing agricultural productivity with precautionary principles.
The United States’ ongoing litigation and the EU’s regulatory tightening serve as key lessons for Zimbabwe. They illustrate the complex interplay of agricultural needs, health concerns, and legal accountability. Zimbabwean policymakers must prepare to address these dynamics proactively, safeguarding farmers, consumers, and ecosystems.
Voices from Zimbabwean farmers
In Mashonaland East, farmer Joseph Moyo attests to glyphosate’s critical role in managing stubborn weeds effectively, boosting his tobacco yields. Yet, he voices unease about prolonged exposure: “We apply these chemicals to our land, but we don’t always know how safe they are for our families.” His concerns reflect the widespread gap in farmer training and safety measures.
Women in Zimbabwe’s communal lands also highlight glyphosate’s impact on their daily lives. Agricultural extension worker Grace Chikodzi emphasises empowering women farmers with knowledge about safe herbicide handling and alternative weed management techniques to reduce health risks and build resilient livelihoods.
Balancing innovation, safety, and sustainability
The future of glyphosate in Zimbabwe hinges on striking a careful balance — preserving its valuable role in sustainable agriculture while rigorously assessing health and environmental safety. Policymakers should prioritise investing in local research, strengthening pesticide regulation enforcement, and facilitating access to safer alternatives, such as integrated weed management practices.
Additionally, Zimbabwe’s alignment with NDS1’s inclusive agricultural development framework must emphasise safeguarding women, youth, and children from agrochemical risks through education, protective equipment, and monitoring.
Zimbabwean agriculture stands at a crossroads, confronting a global controversy filtered through local realities. With informed policies, robust science, and active community engagement, Zimbabwe can pioneer a pathway ensuring agricultural productivity and public health together.
FFA Explainer:
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide used worldwide to control weeds. It inhibits a plant enzyme involved in the synthesis of essential amino acids, leading to plant death. Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) include the active ingredient plus other formulations affecting toxicity and environmental behaviour.
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