Call for Sustainable Tobacco Production

Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE is facing environmental challenges, losing an estimated 262 000 hectares of forest land each year due to a combination of agricultural expansion, reliance on wood for energy, uncontrolled fires, illegal logging, and unauthorised settlements.

Speaking at the inaugural Joint Forestry Indaba programme held in Harare, Environment, Climate and Wildlife permanent secretary Ambassador Tadeus Chifamba emphasised the urgent need for collective efforts to protect the country’s forestry resources.

“A significant proportion of this loss, roughly 60 000 hectares annually, is directly attributable to the demand for wood fuel for tobacco curing,” said Ambassador Chifamba.

He stressed that the trend is unsustainable and incompatible with Zimbabweans’ constitutional right to a healthy environment.

“Such conservation of Zimbabwe’s constitution enshrines the right of every citizen to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.”

To combat this issue, Ambassador Chifamba highlighted the Government’s commitment to forestry conservation, noting initiatives championed by the President, including the presidential forestry initiative.

“We just laid it on our hearts with our Patrol for the Environment, which complements this effort through various active reforestation projects.”

These initiatives also involve the diplomatic sector and various communities nationwide. The tobacco sector plays a crucial role in the economy, supporting over 150 000 small-scale farmers and agricultural producers.

However, the ongoing destruction of forests for tobacco curing fuel threatens not only the environment but the economic viability of the sector itself.

“The long-term relational viability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector depends not just on the quality of the leaf, but on the sustainability of the systems that produce it,” he said.

Highlighting the economic implications, he elaborated on the value of forest products, which include honey, mushrooms, wild fruits, and medicinal plants, contributing approximately US$500 million annually to subsistence livelihoods in Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, nature-based tourism, essential for the nation’s economic stability, contributed US$878 billion in 2019, accounting for 24 percent of GDP and 6 percent of national employment.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, chief director of the Department of Research and Specialist Services, Dr Dumisani Kuytwayo, reiterated the dire need for action to address biodiversity loss stemming from deforestation.

Echoing Ambassador Chifamba’s sentiments, he emphasised that tangible action plans are critical for sustainable agricultural practices.

In response to the pressing challenges, announced the recent launch of a tobacco value chain transportation plan aimed at holistic sector growth.

“We are talking about sustainable production, increasing productivity, but doing it in an environmentally friendly manner,” he explained.

The call to action extends to promoting alternative energy sources, such as coal, to reduce dependence on wood fuel.

To strengthen agricultural practices, stakeholders are urged to look at the entire production value chain, from seed to export. The goal is to ensure that the value chain rests on a sustainable foundation to comply with market expectations, particularly in sectors such as the EU.

Forestry Commission Zimbabwe, Director General George Manyumwa, pointed out that the tobacco industry is the primary driver of the current deforestation crisis.

He advocated for the establishment of fast-growing plantations, such as eucalyptus, to replace indigenous trees lost for tobacco curing.

Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chief operating officer, Mr Blessing Dhokotera, who spoke on behalf of chief executive officer Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, called for collective efforts in promoting sustainable tobacco production.

“Afforestation is everyone’s responsibility. We need to explore and develop our market with this tobacco production and ensure that it is orderly,” he urged.

The tobacco marketing season is set to officially open on 4 March, marking an exciting time for the industry.

This season, an impressive 354 million kg of tobacco is anticipated, showcasing the expected abundance of this vital crop.

To facilitate the sales, three auction floors will be operating, providing a platform for buyers and sellers to engage in the market.