Harare Bureau
Carbon Green Investment (CGI), a United Kingdom-based company specialising in conservation and carbon credit management in Zimbabwe, has unveiled new technology that reduces the costs of curing tobacco. The rocket barn solar fan was launched last Friday for the first time in Zimbabwe during a tobacco field day held at Dzingai Kusekarombe’s homestead, Makuvisa Village under Chief Kazangarare in Hurungwe.

Hurungwe North legislator Reuben Marumahoko officiated at the ceremony, also graced by Hurungwe Rural District Council chief executive officer Joram Moyo, Chief Kazangarare and several tobacco companies.

Although the project is still on a trial basis, Kusekarombe, who has so far used the technology on four harvests, said the technology had proved very efficient, especially in the manner it regulated temperatures and conserved energy.

“The control of heat is better than in firewood barns. The coal will burn for about three hours as the burning is controlled thermostatically. Compared to the use of firewood, the use of this technology is less strenuous and less costly. One can even go and attend to other duties while the thermostat controls the temperatures unlike the use of firewood which requires constant attention,” he said.

The solar fan equipment includes a heavy duty battery powered by a solar panel, a light bulb, a thermostat and a copper coil, all valued at about $450.

The pilot project is the brainchild of Carbon Green Company project manager Rory Muil.

It is meant to increase the use of coal in tobacco farming, while at the same time reducing costs and deforestation.

Marumahoko said: “Remember, of about 77,000 tobacco farmers we have countrywide, 26,000 of them are in Hurungwe. Using these statistics, if we allow each one of them to cut just one tree for tobacco curing every year, we will not remain with any tree in the next two years.

“It’s my sincere hope that tobacco companies will embrace the new technology and assist in the conservation of our natural resources.”

Moyo castigated some tobacco companies working in the area for not paying back to the community.

“You come here to make business leaving the roads in a bad state. The bridges are damaged all over while you just watch.

“Please let’s work harmoniously as partners to improve the welfare of the same farmers you’re using to make business. Remember you have a social corporate role to play, which is paying back to the community,” he said.

CGI area manager for Hurungwe Jeremiah Matiza urged tobacco companies to embrace the new technology that focuses on reducing forest destruction. He asked local companies to embark on the production of the kits, which he said were moment being imported for now.

In Zimbabwe CGI operates in four districts — Binga, Nyaminyami, Hurungwe and Mbire under the Kariba Redd+ Project.