Zimbabwe to ban firewood

Zimbabwe will prohibit the use of firewood for curing tobacco by 2029, in a major policy shift aimed at reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable production of the country's leading export crop. The announcement was made at the inaugural Joint Forest Indaba on sustainable forest and tobacco production in Harare, where policymakers, farmers, and industry stakeholders gathered to examine the environmental impact of large-scale tobacco curing.

Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, said the transition is necessary to safeguard forest resources while sustaining tobacco output. "Tobacco production is expected to hit 500 million kilogrammes by 2028, and, as our key export crop, we need to grow it in a sustainable manner. The issue of deforestation is a reality, and I encourage farmers and stakeholders to be innovative. My ministry will cease the use of firewood for tobacco curing by 2029, so the time is now for the industry to adjust," he said.

Zimbabwe loses more than 260,000 hectares of forest annually, with tobacco curing estimated to account for 15 to 20 percent of that loss, intensifying calls for alternative energy sources and structured afforestation programmes within the tobacco value chain.

Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, stressed the need for policy alignment to balance environmental conservation and economic growth. "Zimbabwe's tobacco is rated among the best on international markets. While the World Health Organization advocates for restrictions on tobacco, the crop remains a lifeline for our farmers and the country. This forest indaba will see stakeholders drafting a plan to ensure sustainable production of tobacco," she said.

Under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (Phase Two), the government is targeting a US$7 billion tobacco industry by 2030, supported by increased production, beneficiation, and expanded export markets. This season, farmers are projected to deliver more than 400 million kilogrammes of tobacco, up from just over 350 million kilogrammes last year, with production expected to reach 500 million kilogrammes by 2028 if current growth trends continue.

Zimbabwe exports tobacco to over 60 markets, with China as its largest importer. Officials say the 2029 deadline provides the industry with a transition window to invest in alternative curing technologies, expand woodlots, and strengthen afforestation initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability.