Authorities have expressed satisfaction with the effort of tobacco farmers and communities in tobacco growing districts to plant trees to make up for depleted forests due to production of the crop.
Over the years, development of tobacco barns for curing the leaf has depleted forests and vegetative cover as it largely depends on use of forest products such as wood and grass.
A recent study conducted by the Department of Forestry revealed that over 7.7 million hectares of the country’s land has been degraded and is in need of restoration.
Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Clement Chilima, said through the Tobacco Levy Fund, the department has been able to support farmers with tree seedlings and technical know-how on forest preservation.
During a recent visit of forests being managed by communities in Mzimba and Rumphi districts. Chilima said he was impressed with the progress.
“The Tobacco Levy Fund is a financial pool where tobacco buying and processing companies contribute as part of helping government through the department to financially support subsistence farmers in replenishing forests and depleted areas at district level.
“The progress has been tremendous, the forests that the communities are making is very competitive and in some cases we find them better than our forests and it is very encouraging coming from communities,” Chilima said.
Inkosana Mzengera-Banda of Mzimba said that despite communities in the district having successfully created vibrant village natural resource and forest conservation committees, there is still more that needs to be done to preserve forests.
The Department of Forestry is currently implementing the initiative in nine districts of Rumphi, Mzimba, Kasungu, Dowa, Mchinji, Lilongwe, Ntcheu, Balaka and Mangochi.
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