admincuring tobacco, a company executive has said.
BAT managing director Mr Lovemore Manatsa said his company had initiated afforestation programmes in tobacco farming areas like Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East to reduce deforestation. Mr Manatsa, who was the guest of honour at Gwebi College graduation ceremony last week, said, “Our leaf division works closely with farmers on afforestation initiatives to mitigate the cutting down of natural forests for tobacco production and domestic use,” he said.
Mr Manatsa said they had so far planted about 3,5 million trees. It is expected to increase this to six million in 2014.
He said the afforestation programme would also provide tobacco farmers with a sustainable source of wood. The firm has introduced barns that reduce the dependency on firewood or coal for curing tobacco.
Online Reporter