Govt moves to curb tobacco-driven deforestation

The government plans to ban the wanton use of indigenous trees by small holder famers to cure tobacco by 2030 in a bid to conserve indigenous woodlands.

To enforce the planned phase-out of indigenous firewood, the government says it has begun to aggressively promote fuel-efficient curing technologies, use of coal and tree-planting initiatives.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development minister Anxious Masuka said the measures were aimed at reducing pressure on indigenous forests while sustaining tobacco production and protecting farmers’ livelihoods.

This story is for NewsDay subscribers.