Govt mulls use of ethanol to cure tobacco

Government is sponsoring research into the possibility of using ethanol to cure tobacco, a senior official has said. Zimbabwe is battling destruction of forests by farmers who use wood to cure the golden leaf.

Alternatively, those who can afford use coal, which is more expensive, but most small-scale farmers cut down trees which are the nearest and cheapest source of energy.

Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Pattison Mbiriri said trials were underway to establish the possibility of curing the golden leaf using energy derived from ethanol.