admin
Panashe Chikonyora and Kiyara Matambanadzo
Zimbabwe embarked on a land reform programme two decades ago that saw tens of thousands of smallholder farmers becoming major players in the lucrative and foreign currency spinning tobacco farming sector.
Many land audit reports carried out before say at least between 400 000 and 500 000 Zimbabweans are now proud owners of arable land, thanks to the land reform programme.
Unlike other sectors such as the gold sector, which is not highly regulated, there is orderliness in the tobacco sector where every US dollar earned is accounted for by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately, there appears to be challenges with the gold sector, the country’s single largest foreign currency earner. There are reports that a significant amount of gold is regrettably smuggled out of the country.
But the amount of money earned from the tobacco sector is well documented and the country always marvels when the golden leaf selling season opens. Records prove that at least US$1 billion is earned annually from this sector, bring much relief to the country.
Gold is mined round the clock but the sector proves to be difficult to regulate as the majority of the small scale producers sell the product to some illegal dealers who smuggle it to other countries.
Authorities say the country might be producing over 100 tonnes of gold annually, but records show that only 33 to 40 tonnes are accounted for. The most disturbing development is that gold is a finite resource and if the country does benefit from it today and when the resource is exhausted, this could mean the end of the road for Zimbabwe.
However, tobacco is like a renewable resource and if it is grown in a sustainable manner, the crop has potential to benefit generations to follow. It is against this backdrop that one of the major players in the tobacco sector, a Chinese firm, TIAN ZE, should be lauded for being a torch bearer in leading the campaign in promoting sustainable tobacco growing in Zimbabwe.
The tobacco company on Monday launched a sustainable tobacco production programme in line with Sustainable Development Goal 15, which advocates against deforestation and land degradation to improve tobacco farming economically, environmentally and socially.
According to TIAN ZE the sustainable tobacco production programme will focus on three main pillars broken down into; economic, environmental and social.
The three pillars will see farmers among other things access loans at zero percent interest rate, practice land conservation and waste management as well as fight for the elimination of child labour in the tobacco value chain.
In his remarks during the Sustainable Tobacco production launch, TIAN ZE Tobacco Company managing director, Ye Hai, said the move is a journey towards a sustainable tobacco production line which is environmentally friendly.
“There is genuine need to drive standards in agricultural practices, protect the environment and manage key social and human rights issues associated with tobacco production. This can only be achieved by instilling sustainable mindsets in our employees, farmers and other stakeholders we cooperate with.
“Every organisation, regardless of size must apply creativity and innovation in managing its impact on the environment, economy and society. As TIAN ZE Company, we are specifically aiming to ensure the efficient production of quality tobacco, under conditions that minimise the adverse environmental impact, in a manner that improves the socio-economic conditions of the people and their communities in the tobacco production areas,” he said.
TIAN ZE said the sustainability policy will include farm inspections by sustainability officers among other activities to ensure that farmers act in line with requirements.
Although tobacco is the second largest foreign currency earner in the country after gold, the question of sustainability has been a hot topic in the industry and beyond.
Bongani Ndlovu