Staff Writer
Allied Tobacco Farmers for Economic Development, an organization which has over 10 000 members across the country ,is on a process of educating membership on the need to conserve the environment by opening up tree plantations in respective tobacco farming jurisdictions.
The organization’s National Chairperson, Jesina Mangwiro said while they are on a process to ensuring intensifying of tobacco farming in the country, farmers should be educated on the need for re forestation.
“While we are doing tobacco farming,we don’t have to indiscriminately cut down trees.Thats why we have brought some seedlings.It is our hope that by 2030 all our members would have opened up tree plantations.We are going to travel around country educating membership on this noble process which key in environmental sustainability,” she told The Blast on a tobacco farming field day event held in Tengwe, Hurungwe East constituency in Mashonaland West Province last week.
In Zimbabwe, trees play a crucial role in tobacco farming, particularly for fueling the curing process. Here are some key uses:
– Firewood
Trees are harvested for firewood to fuel the curing process, where tobacco leaves are dried to the right moisture level.
– Charcoal production:
Some farmers use trees to produce charcoal, which is also used for curing tobacco.
– Scaffolding:
Trees are used to create scaffolding for drying tobacco leaves.
–Soil conservation
Trees help prevent soil erosion and improve soil health, benefiting tobacco crops.
However, this reliance on trees has raised concerns about deforestation and environmental degradation.
Tobacco Farmers For Economic Development was formed in March 2025 and now has 10 000 members.Its aim is to empower and support tobacco farming in the country in line with President Mnangagwa’s 2030 Vision.