Zimbabwe: TTB Courts Partners to Raise Gum Tree Seedlings

Source from:  All Africa 11/17/2010

The Tobacco Research Board is seeking partners to raise one million gum tree seedlings for planting at the end of January 2011 to replace plants used in curing the golden leaf. TRB general manager Mr Anxious Masuka yesterday said the cost of producing the one million seedlings was US$15 000 and through a technology upgrading and treatment process only 4 000 seeds are required for a hectare of gum trees. "The initial target species is eucalyptus camaldulensis whose seed has now been obtained from the Forestry Commission. "Individuals and companies can purchase in advance the number of seedlings they would like to donate later to tobacco growers. The seedlings will be collected by the donors and/or growers in January 2011," said Mr Masuka. He said the TRB had successfully tested an improved and cost-effective eucalyptus seedling production system that could accelerate stakeholder efforts to reverse deforestation. "Many stakeholders whose business is steeped in the corporate social responsibility principles of 'People, Planet, Profit' recognise the need to assist tobacco growers to conduct their business in an ethical, responsible and sustainable manner. "TRB believes that in addition to the many individual and collective afforestation efforts underway, better management of existing indigenous trees is necessary." Globally, an estimated 200 000ha of forestry are lost to tobacco curing yearly. The TRB has been giving tobacco growers gum tree seed sufficient to cover 0,3ha upon purchasing tobacco seed for the 2010/11 season. Enditem