Smallholder Tobacco Farmers and Forest Conservation in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe is among the poorest countries in the world and heavily depends on agriculture for rural livelihoods and income generation. Forests conversion into agricultural land and the use of forest products, in particular fuel wood for the construction of tobacco barns and the curing process has caused destruction to the already depleted forests. The study was carried out in Mutasa District in the eastern highlands, Zimbabwe. Quantitative and qualitative data techniques were used in the study. A total of 60 smallholder tobacco farmers were purposively sampled from a population of 280 tobacco producing households for the survey. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and direct observations. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Binary logistic. Results show that proximity to the forest (p < 0.001), age of farmer (p = 0.001), agricultural training (p = 0.028) and unavailability of electricity (p = 0.028) were significantly influencing the conservation of miombo woodlands. In the contrary; household size (p = 0.983), level of education (p = 0.525), gender (p = 0.113), unavailability of coal (p = 0.109) and culture (p = 0.078) showed no significant difference in the conservation of miombo woodlands. It is recommended that the government embark on a more vigorous approach in the supply of energy for the curing of tobacco and conserving the existing forests to mitigate effects of deforestation and climate change. Most importantly, smallholder farmers should be educated to use other alternative sources of fuel to promote the regeneration of the already injured woodlands. All stakeholders should be involved in planning and decision making on issues related to forest conservation and technology in tobacco production.

Impact of tobacco curing on the environment andsocio-economic aspects in the Urambo District

“…Our results agree with Waluye (1994) study, which reported that Urambo district farmers often move distance to harvest wood fuel for tobacco curing. Also, our findings are in agreement with the study by Lawrence et al (2020) who found that many forest woodlands near the homestead have been cleared than those far from the homestead. This results in increases in the wood fuel cost.…”

Evaluating the Role of Climate Smart Agriculture towards Sustainable Livelihoods in Mutare District, Zimbabwe

“…The participants opine that they use wood fuel for cooking, warming and lighting their houses. The study area is rich in miombo woodlands which support different livelihood outcomes [66]. Trees that provide source of energy and fruits included a mixture of Brachystegia spiciformis, Jubenardia globorora, Brachystegia boehmii, Brachystegia tamarinodoide and Uapaca kirkianaand [67].…”

The Adoption of Strategies to Reduce Deforestation from Tobacco Production: A Case of Smallholder Farmers in Headlands Area of Makoni District

“…The Government of Zimbabwe, through TIMB, EMA, and Forestry Commission, together with tobacco companies, have introduced various strategies or measures to mitigate the tobacco production effects on the environment through deforestation (TIMB, 2015). Gum plantation is one of the possible solutions recommended to promote the regeneration of depleting forests (Saccheto, 2012;TIMB, 2016;Lawrence et al, 2020;Matiashe, 2022). The FCZ launched the Tobacco Wood Energy Program (TWEP) in 2005 in an attempt to curb the challenges of deforestation by encouraging smallholders to establish woodlots.…”

“…According to Munanga et al, (2014), a significant number of farmers transitioned from the use of coal to wood fuel due to the cost and unavailability of electricity as well as the collapse of the railway system in Zimbabwe. A study by Lawrence et al, (2020) recommended the government and tobacco companies provide coal to tobacco farmers at a subsidized price to encourage its adoption by smallholders, thereby reducing deforestation. According to Saccheto (2012), coal has been used as a common alternative to wood for flue-curing in China.…”