Zimbabwe: Increased Coal Supplies Boost Tobacco Curing

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) December 29, 2006 12/31/2006

THE Tobacco Industry Marketing Board has expressed satisfaction with the significant improvement in coal supplies to cure tobacco. The shortage of coal has been a major impediment to operations in the tobacco industry as most farmers and tobacco-processing companies have lately been failing to access the commodity. In an interview with The Herald Business, TIMB technical services director Dr Andrew Matibiri said because of considerably increased coal deliveries over the past two weeks, he was optimistic that the harvested irrigated crop would not be affected by lack of or insufficient curing. "I can confirm that we have received a sizeable amount of coal supplies which, I am sure, will be of great assistance to farmers, but am not in a position to divulge the figures as of now," he said. Last month, Hwange Colliery Company assured the tobacco industry that there would be enough supplies following the commissioning of Chaba opencast mine and new equipment sourced from China. After being harvested, tobacco is cured by air, sun or fire. Curing enhances flavour by reducing the moisture level of the leaf, and increasing tobacco's preservability. This way, it can be stored for a relatively longer time without perishing. However, curing requires a source of heat and depending on the method used - air-curing, sun-curing, fire-curing or flue-curing - this source may be natural (sun or air) or artificial (fire or smoke). In the latter case, fuel needs to be used to cure the tobacco leaves. The type of tobacco which is most extensively grown and which does require an external source of energy for curing is the flue-cured Virginia type. Fuels used to cure the types of tobacco which need an artificial source of heat include coal, oil, gas and wood. The most widely used fuel for curing is coal, although oil, gas and wood are also popular energy sources, especially in Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. Dr Matibiri said TIMB was currently making concerted efforts to ensure that farmers got as much coal as they could. More deliveries are expected soon. Sources close to Hwange Colliery Company said problems which were affecting deliveries had been rectified and plans were underway to increase distribution channels. Enditem