Zimbabwe Brings Back Old Way to Grow Tobacco.
Farmers in Zimbabwe found a better way to grow tobacco. They let it dry in the air instead of burning wood. This old method came back after 62 years away.
The change started small last year. Just 17 farmers tried it on tiny plots. They grew 4,000 kilos of tobacco. Atlas Agri, the company behind this idea, helped them learn how.
This year brought big growth. The farms grew nine times bigger. About 140 small farmers joined the Mangwe district. They plant tobacco and let nature dry it. No trees were cut down.
"Our farmers love this method," said Alex Mackay from Atlas Agri. He leads the project. One farmer, Martin Nguni, sold his crop for $3.10 per kilo. That success made others want to join.
The idea keeps growing. More than 300 new farmers who live near Plum Tree and Fig Tree asked to take part next year. The company wants to help them grow better crops, so they plan to use plants that need less water.
The old way helps nature. Regular tobacco needs lots of wood to dry, while this kind just needs air. This plan saves trees and helps farmers earn money. The government likes this plan; it fits their goals for growing more tobacco in Zimbabwe.
The last time anyone grew tobacco this way was in 1962. A farmer named Rosenfels did it at Nicotine Farm in Mangwe. After that, everyone stopped until last year.
Atlas Agri wants to make growing cheaper. Right now, each farm spends $900 per field. Lower costs mean more money for farmers. The tobacco board oversees everything to ensure its smooth operation.
Farmers in Zimbabwe found a better way to grow tobacco. They let it dry in the air instead of burning wood. This old method came back after 62 years away.
The change started small last year. Just 17 farmers tried it on tiny plots. They grew 4,000 kilos of tobacco. Atlas Agri, the company behind this idea, helped them learn how.
This year brought big growth. The farms grew nine times bigger. About 140 small farmers joined the Mangwe district. They plant tobacco and let nature dry it. No trees were cut down.
"Our farmers love this method," said Alex Mackay from Atlas Agri. He leads the project. One farmer, Martin Nguni, sold his crop for $3.10 per kilo. That success made others want to join.
The idea keeps growing. More than 300 new farmers who live near Plum Tree and Fig Tree asked to take part next year. The company wants to help them grow better crops, so they plan to use plants that need less water.
The old way helps nature. Regular tobacco needs lots of wood to dry, while this kind just needs air. This plan saves trees and helps farmers earn money. The government likes this plan; it fits their goals for growing more tobacco in Zimbabwe.
The last time anyone grew tobacco this way was in 1962. A farmer named Rosenfels did it at Nicotine Farm in Mangwe. After that, everyone stopped until last year.
Atlas Agri wants to make growing cheaper. Right now, each farm spends $900 per field. Lower costs mean more money for farmers. The tobacco board oversees everything to ensure its smooth operation.
