eBusiness Weekly
Noah Pito
Hurungwe Rural District Council (HRDC) in Mashonaland West has proposed the introduction of Tobacco Contracting and Growing by-laws in a bid to arrest environmental degradation caused by tobacco farming in the district.
The proposed regulations which come in the wake of failure by both tobacco merchants and farmers to observe council guidelines in terms of conserving natural resources and the environment, are meant to create a win-win situation between HRDC and the tobacco companies.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Magunje Growth Point recently council chairman Badwell Chasara, said his council had proposed the by-laws to create cordial and fruitful relationship between council and tobacco merchants – particularly at the time some contractors were not complying with council regulations governing sustainable growing of tobacco in the area.
“I’m sure the proposed by-laws, will make us move in the same direction for the benefit of the tobacco merchants and the communities alike. This move we are sure will create a win-win situation for both of us,’’ said Chasara.
Key stakeholders
The meeting brought together Senator for Hurungwe and Kariba, Sikelela Gumpo, Magunje MP Cecil Kashiri, councilors, tobacco companies (that included Boka, Northern Tobacco, and Mashonaland Tobacco Company) Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the local leadership and farmers.
Under the proposed regulations no contractor shall engage a tobacco grower or operate in the council area without a valid Memorandum of Understanding with local authority.
No farmer shall also grow flue-cured tobacco in the area without proving to council that they are legally settled as provided for by a settlement permit, offer letter or title deed. Over and above, the farmer is also expected to have a wood lot or alternative form of fuel to support curing of their intended hectarage.
Farmers shall also not be allowed to cure their tobacco in the area unless they have a licence issued by council or other licensing authority in the district after inspection of the wood lot by council, Forestry Commission or Agritex officers responsible for the area.
No farmer shall also obtain a grower’s number without any authorising letter from council verifying ownership of land while destruction of tobacco stalks shall also be expected to be completed by 15 May every year.
H R D C to register all contractors and transporters
In terms of tobacco transportation, every tobacco transporter shall be expected to register with HRDC before undertaking any tobacco transportation for hire, within or to out-of–the-district markets without a licence from council.
Contractors shall sign their MoU at the council offices before the onset of every farming season.
For a contractor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with council, they must have paid an appropriate fee for the intended hectarage. They must also provide a monitoring plan to ensure enough supply, and efficient utilisation of coal by their contracted farmers. They must also provide an alternative energy source for tobacco curing by their farmers. Contractors shall also be expected to provide an afforestation plan for the contracted farmers or — district as a whole – before also coming up with a social responsibility plan for the district.
Under the proposed by-laws it is also an offence for a contractor to engage a farmer to grow flue-cured tobacco in the area without a valid MOU while it shall also be an offence for a farmer to grow tobacco without a wood lot or an alternative source of energy commensurate with the hectarage grown.
Memorandum of Understanding signing fees will be paid on the basis of the hectarage contracted by the contractor in the area.
Heavy penalties to be introduced
For up to 25 hectares, contractors shall pay $ 250 signing fees while 26-50 ha and above 1 000 ha will attract signing fees of $ 500 and $15 000 respectively. Tobacco merchants who shall disregard the council regulations and contract farmers in the council area without a valid MOU shall be fined $500, $1000 , $2000, $10 000, $20 000, $ 30 000 for 1-25 , 26-50, 51-100, 101-500, 501-1000 and more than 1000 hactares respectively.
Magunje MP Cecil Kashiri encouraged tobacco companies working in Hurungwe to fulfil their corporate social responsibility by donating to schools, clinics and maintaining the same roads which linked them to their farmers.
“There is great need for you to assist the communities that make business for you. No matter how small the donation could be, in a way you would have assisted the community in a big way. Even a donation of paracetamol tablets to one of the clinics around will make a difference.
‘‘Remember also that the health of the tobacco farmers you are using is sometimes compromised by the hazardous chemicals they use, and as such you wouldn’t be wasting if you donate to the clinics,” he said.
