adminMashonaland West Bureau
SOME tobacco farmers in Mashonaland West province continue to shun alternative fuels, including coal, and have already started cutting down trees in preparation for curing their tobacco. Various stakeholders have raised concern that the development would lead to further deforestation and environmental challenges.
Surveys by The Herald in some parts of Hurungwe and Makonde districts showed that tobacco farmers preparing to cure the crop were cutting down trees at an alarming rate.
Most farmers said in the absence of cheaper alternatives, they would continue using firewood.
“Although some contractors (tobacco companies) are supplying us with coal to cure our tobacco, the barn models we constructed make it difficult for us to use coal as air circulation is rather low when compared to standard barns,” said Mr
Enerst Chipara of Nyangoma, Hurungwe East constituency.
Farmers who are not contracted by any tobacco companies decried the costs of buying and transporting coal from Hwange.
Some farmers said they were not using coal as they feared for their health.
“We have heard various cases where people lose their lives from coal due to its high levels of carbon monoxide,” said Mr Ephraim Machacha. “We would rather continue using firewood as it is safe and easily available.”
Tobacco agronomists have been holding meetings with the farmers, encouraging them to use alternative methods of curing tobacco to reduce deforestation.
Achievers Leaf Tobacco chief agronomist Mr Tribus Mutematsaka said they had been encouraging farmers to practice environmentally friendly ways of curing their crop.
“We have taken it upon ourselves as agronomists around here (Mhangura) to urge tobacco farmers to desist from cutting down trees to cure their tobacco,” he said. “We are saying they should use alternative sources of fuel like coal and electricity. We are also encouraging them to plant trees.”
Forestry Commission provincial head Mr Lewis Radzire said his organisation had lined up programmes to help reduce deforestation mainly caused by tobacco farmers.
He said the commission would soon embark on provincial awareness campaigns to encourage farmers to preserve the environment by replanting trees.
Online Reporter