THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says all tobacco contractors are obligated to provide farmers with tree seedlings to promote afforestation in the country.
This comes as around 60 000 hectares of forests are burnt every year to cure tobacco. TIMB acting chief executive officer Emmanuel Matsvaire said the initiative was effective from this 2024-2025 summer season to ensure that pressure on natural forests is reduced.
“Starting this season, contractors are providing growers with tree seedlings to establish wood lots. “This reduces the pressure on our natural forests and allows them to recover,” he said.