Zimbabwe: Tobacco Firms Urged to Plant Trees

Source from:  The Herald 02/21/2010

Acting Chief Makoni has urged tobacco companies contracting farmers in his area to engage in tree planting activities or risk being banned from operating in the area. He was speaking during a tree planting ceremony organised by the Mashonaland Tobacco Company at Bamba Growth Point, Chinyika Resettlement Area, last week. The company gave the 300 farmers it contracted 8 000 gum tree seedlings to plant, as efforts to replenish destroyed forests intensified in the area. Traditional leaders had protested against tobacco companies and growers and even threatened to ban them from the area after the wanton destruction of forests to get firewood for curing their tobacco. Recurrent power cuts have forced many tobacco farmers to resort to firewood for curing their crops. "There should be an association of tobacco grower contractors who should spearhead the planting of trees for firewood," he said. "Tree growing should be an integral part of tobacco growing. We can allocate you land for tree planting." Acting Chief Makoni said he wanted farmers to continue growing tobacco because of the high returns farmers were getting from the crop. Makoni District Administrator Mr Cosmos Chiringa said local authorities should actively participate in tree growing because of the huge benefits derived from trees. "Every tobacco farmer should have a woodlot from where he cuts firewood to cure his or her tobacco," he said. The acting chief was given 30 seedlings to start his own woodlot on his farm. The move follows protests by traditional leaders, who complained that tobacco farmers were destroying forests and affecting water tables in the area. MTC managing director Mr Ken Langley said his company contracted 2 100 farmers nationally. "We have invested US$3,5 million into contract farming," he said. The company assists with inputs and marketing of the crop. He said the choice of small-scale farmers follows a realisation that small-scale farming is an area of growth. MTC sales director Mr Phanuel Chagaresango promised that his company would provide both exotic and indigenous trees each year. "With each seed pack for tobacco we shall provide tree seedlings," he said. Enditem