Tobacco farmers associated with Shasha Tobacco were urged to adopt sustainable practices to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. During a recent event held to inaugurate Shasha Tobacco’s afforestation initiative at Bakwa Secondary School in the Hurungwe District of Mashonaland West, Augustine Ajento, the Operations Director of Shasha Tobacco and the distinguished guest of honour, emphasized the importance of adhering to sustainability guidelines within tobacco production. This event represented a significant advancement in Shasha Tobacco’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, as it introduced an afforestation program engaging both its contracted growers and selected schools within its operational areas.
During the event, the Operations Director of Shasha Tobacco openly addressed the critical issue of environmental degradation linked to tobacco production in Zimbabwe. He acknowledged that this industry is a significant contributor to the rampant deforestation occurring in farming communities across the nation. The director expressed deep concern over the extensive damage that tobacco cultivation inflicts on the environment, emphasizing that one of the primary culprits is the reliance on firewood as the main source of curing fuel. This practice is particularly prevalent among small-scale farmers residing in communal and resettlement areas, who often depend on local forests to meet their curing fuel needs.
The Operations Director of Shasha Tobacco, Augustine Ajento delivering his speech.
Mr. Ajento underscored Shasha Tobacco’s strong commitment to combating deforestation through several strategic initiatives. One of the key approaches involves the implementation of coal as a sustainable curing fuel for tobacco. This method not only enhances the quality of tobacco but also significantly reduces reliance on traditional wood sources, which has been a major driver of deforestation in the region. In addition to this, Mr. Ajento announced the launch of an ambitious afforestation program aimed at restoring and preserving local ecosystems. Under this program, all farmers contracted by Shasha Tobacco will be encouraged to establish sustainable woodlots. These woodlots will serve dual purposes: providing a renewable source of fuel for curing tobacco and contributing to the overall reforestation efforts.
He urged Shasha Tobacco’s contracted farmers to play an active role in this initiative. Specifically, he emphasized the importance of utilizing coal for curing tobacco rather than disposing of it carelessly by leaving it alongside roads, which is both wasteful and detrimental to the environment. Furthermore, Mr. Ajento called on the farmers who will participate in the afforestation program to take their responsibilities seriously. He expressed hope that by setting a positive example, these farmers would inspire their peers to engage in similar sustainable practices. This collective effort not only stands to benefit individual farmers and their communities but also contributes to a broader movement towards responsible agricultural practices that prioritize environmental stewardship.
Mr. Ajento addressed the establishment of a dedicated sustainability office at Shasha Tobacco, which will focus on sustainability issues among its contracted farmers. This office will collaborate closely with the agronomy department to ensure that farmers comply with sustainability guidelines and cultivate tobacco following the principles of the Sustainable Tobacco Program (STP). Additionally, Mr. Ajento noted that afforestation initiatives would be one of the key responsibilities of the sustainability office, with tree-planting efforts extending across all operational areas of Shasha Tobacco.
Farmers, students, and various stakeholders were made aware of the growing awareness among customers in the export market regarding sustainability issues in tobacco production. In light of this, tobacco farmers were encouraged to adopt sustainable practices to ensure that Zimbabwean tobacco meets international standards and commands premium prices. Tichafara Makwanya, the leaf manager at Shasha Tobacco, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that embracing sustainability measures is essential for success in the global tobacco market.
Tichafara Makwanya, Shasha Tobacco’s leaf manager urging farmers to embrace sustainability
During the same event, Mr. Magaraganda from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) emphasized the importance of sustainability in tobacco farming. He encouraged farmers to adopt V-slots on their barn furnaces, which would not only boost the efficiency of their barns but also allow them to switch to coal, a more sustainable option for curing. Mr. Magaraganda also highlighted the role of TIMB’s afforestation department in establishing sustainable woodlots through gumtree plantations. He urged farmers to pay attention to TIMB’s tree-planting initiatives and foster a culture of tree-planting within their communities.