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Oliver Kazunga-Senior Business Reporter
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says beginning this season, contractors are required to provide growers with tree seedlings to establish woodlots and coal to promote sustainable crop production.
In the absence of these alternatives, farmers indiscriminately cut down trees for use in curing their tobacco crop, leading to harmful environmental damage.
In the past, sustainability issues have been raised as tobacco farmers caused deforestation by cutting down trees to cure the crop.
Tobacco, which is largely grown under contract farming and the auction arrangement, remains one of Zimbabwe’s largest foreign currency earners after gold.
The crop is predominantly cultivated by small-scale farmers who were allocated land under the land reform programme.
Last year, the country exported 236 million kg of the golden leaf, generating US$1,3 billion.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco exports are largely destined for markets in the Far East, Africa, the Middle East, and the European Union with countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Indonesia, being among the major consumers of the golden leaf from Zimbabwe.
Under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, approved by the Cabinet in 2021, the Government is targeting to increase output to 300 million kg by next year while the crop’s value would improve to US$5 billion and an additional US$10 billion by 2030.
While players and stakeholders in the tobacco sector have set sights on increasing production, TIMB which regulates production of the crop locally, is undertaking several sustainability programmes to ensure the crop is produced ethically while minimising environmental impact.
“This is in line with the Sustainable Tobacco Program (STP), an international initiative for tobacco merchants and industry players, which provides a framework for driving industry-wide sustainability standards.
“Starting this season, contractors are providing growers with tree seedlings to establish wood lots, coal or wood from sustainable woodlots for tobacco curing.
“This reduces the pressure on our natural forests and allows them to recover.
“Sustainability speaks to issues like curbing deforestation, ending child and forced labour and fair treatment of farm workers in tobacco production,” said TIMB.
The list of hazardous tasks for children constituting child labour has since been published.
Contractors are monitoring the school attendance of their contracted farmers’ children whilst TIMB is monitoring the compliance of independent growers through a mobile-based monitoring system. The system guides the development of a broader reporting platform for Agricultural Labour Practices (ALP) compliance by all contractors and their growers.
TIMB acting chief executive officer Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire said his organisation was actively promoting best agricultural practices, environmental management, social and human rights areas to improve socio-economic conditions for tobacco growers and their communities.
“In 2023, TIMB introduced the ALP Code and a new Contractors Compliance Administrative Framework which all registered tobacco contractors signed and are mandated to follow.
“These legislations are the board’s commitment to raising awareness and building capacity for a sustainable industry as per the Board’s vision; Towards Sustainable Tobacco Production, enhanced marketing systems, and improved livelihoods in Zimbabwe by 2025,” he said.
To raise further awareness and build capacity, this year, TIMB has conducted over 50 sustainability field days and empowerment-based training for farmers, extension workers, trainers and farm workers in all tobacco-growing regions.
Additionally, tobacco growers are encouraged to adopt sound business practices, including tracking labour costs.
By promoting sustainability, TIMB aims to improve workplace safety, health conditions, environmental conservation and income for farm workers.
This ultimately contributes to positive economic growth and improved livelihoods for tobacco growers and their communities.
Online Reporter