Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera, Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has advised farmers to use coal for curing the crop this season to reduce deforestation.
The board negotiated with suppliers to ensure farmers can access coal at affordable prices, a move that has garnered commendation from the farming community.
TIMB’s official X page advice to farmers reads: “Get coal for tobacco curing at US$45 per tonne (excluding value added tax (VAT) in Hwange or US$110 per tonne (excluding VAT) in Harare. This means real savings for farmers and more resources to grow and sustain your business.”
Though acknowledging that coal was a fossil fuel, TIMB said its controlled use helps protect forests from deforestation and boosts productivity.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) secretary-general, Mr Paul Zakariya, welcomed the move, saying it provides the foundation for sustainable tobacco production.
“To promote more sustainable tobacco production, growers should heed the call from TIMB to shift from using firewood to alternative energy sources such as coal for curing.
“This transition would significantly reduce pressure on indigenous forests and support national reforestation and environmental conservation efforts,” he said.
Mr Zakariya said there was need for the railway system to be revamped for such an arrangement to be effective.
“Railway sidings will bring coal closer to the farms and that will significantly cut the cost of coal as an alternative,” he said.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) chairman, Mr George Seremwe, concurred, saying the move has many benefits.
“The move will reduce the cost of production, thereby increasing farmer profitability and reducing the cutting of trees for curing.
“We would like to thank TIMB for brokering this deal with coal-producing companies,” he said.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust (TFUT) president, Mr Edward Dune, agreed that coal-controlled use means sustainable business growth, but said more needed to be done for the benefits of this facility to cascade to smallholder farmers.
“Much more needs to be done to enable small-scale farmers access suitable coal transportation facilities to enhance significant savings and further reduce deforestation.
“Contracting merchants must seize this opportunity and extend the same facility to their contracted growers,” he said.
Mr Dune said authorities also need to think outside the box, especially on the afforestation levy, whose utilisation can also be extended to coal procurement.
Meanwhile, TIMB is advising all stakeholders that tobacco transporter registration and renewal for the 2026 marketing season have started.
Zimbabwe is targeting to produce over 360 million kilogrammes of the golden leaf in the 2025/26 agriculture season, with reports from most producing areas showing a healthy crop.
Last year, tobacco had the record-breaking output of 355 million kilogrammes that earned growers US$1,18 billion at an average price of US$3,32 per kg.
