Farmers in favour of coal for tobacco curing

Zimbabwe (Bulawayo24) After the success of the Hwange Colliery Company pilot scheme, where coal was used in curing the golden leaf, tobacco farmers have proposed that the initiative be rolled out to all parts of the country.
They argue that with the programme initiated by the coal mining giant two years ago, farmers benefited from coal availed by rural district councils at subsidised prices to ensure viability and has assisted in the conservation of indigenous trees in their areas.
In the Beatrice area, prominent tobacco farmer, Mr Edson Makina says the programme is a good initiative but needs to be adopted on a national scale to save the indigenous forests which are under threat from massive deforestation. Continued