Farmers urged to consider coal in tobacco curing

Mercy Ngwebvu
THE relatively high prices being fetched by the golden leaf as compared to other crops has seen an increase of tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe. Lack of resources has left most farmers with no choice, but to cure their tobacco using only firewood as they cannot afford other fuels such as coal and electricity. However, with the numerouscampaigns going on about preserving the environment, farmers should seriously consider coal as an alternative source of energy in curing tobacco.
Curing tobacco leaf has traditionally involved the consumption of large quantities of wood fuel that is why UNICEF has been advocating for the banning of tobacco growing.

However, the growing of tobacco need not be banned if farmers resort to alternative fuels and methods in their respective countries.
Climate Smart Trust executive secretary, Mr Didymus Machiri, urged farmers to consider the consistent use of coal as an alternative to firewood when curing their tobacco.
Said Machiri: “The link between deforestation and tobacco growing is almost impossible to break. It is the duty of every farmer to play a role of conserving the environment, making money in the process.

“Apart from our vision of having a hundred million trees by 2016, farmers should seriously consider coal in tobacco curing.
“Not only does it produce better results, but it also goes a long way in conserving our forests and combating climate change.

“Farmers should also do everything in their capacity to enrich the country as well as protect the environment for the benefit of future generations.
“Climate change is real and here to stay. As such, farmers should take it upon themselves to mitigate this phenomenon by practising climate smart agriculture.”
He said farmers should continue fighting to combat climate change in every way possible.

Alternative fuels and more efficient curing barn designs are helping deliver real benefits to growers and the environment.
Other projects are currently underway around the world, testing new techniques and heat sources which are expected to provide new and innovative methods that can deliver further benefits to farmers.

Curing is the process used to achieve the texture, colour and overall quality of a specific tobacco type.
It usually involves a heat source that converts leaf starch into sugar, while the tobacco changes colour from green to brown, closer to the colour and texture you will find in atypical cigarette.

While some tobacco is usually air or sun cured, most commonly the heat is introduced through pipes from an exterior furnace.
The most readily available fuel for farmers to burn these furnaces is often wood.

However there should never be a compromise when it comes to producing quality goods.
While the use of coal can be costly, sometimes it is worth taking the risk for the continual successful production of the golden leaf.