By Own Correspondent

THE Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) has unleashed a number of sustainability measures aimed at protecting the rights of workers and curbing child labour.

Over the years, the farming of the golden leaf has left behind a trail of destruction ranging from environmental degradation, deforestation to child labour among others.

In response to these challenges, the TIMB is carrying out several sustainability programmes to ensure Zimbabwe’s tobacco is produced ethically while minimizing environmental impact in line with the Sustainable Tobacco Program (STP), an international initiative for tobacco merchants and industry players, which provides a framework for driving industry-wide sustainability standards.

TIMB ACEO, Emmanuel Matsvaire said the board is actively upholding this by promoting the best agricultural practices, environmental management, social and human rights areas to improve socio-economic conditions for tobacco growers and their communities.

“In 2023, TIMB introduced the Agricultural Labour Practices (ALP) Code and a new Contractors Compliance Administrative Framework which all registered tobacco contractors signed and are mandated to follow,” said Matsvaire.

These legislations are the Board’s commitment to raising awareness and building capacity for a sustainable industry as per the Board’s vision; Towards Sustainable Tobacco Production, enhanced marketing systems, and improved livelihoods in Zimbabwe by 2025, he added.

“Starting this season, contractors are providing growers with tree seedlings to establish wood lots, coal or wood from sustainable woodlots for tobacco curing. This reduces the pressure on our natural forests and allows them to recover,” he said.

The list of hazardous tasks for children constituting child labour has since been published; contractors are monitoring the school attendance of their contracted farmers’ children whilst TIMB is monitoring the compliance of independent growers through a mobile-based monitoring system.

This system is then guiding the development of a broader reporting platform for ALP compliance by all contractors and their growers.

To raise further awareness and build capacity, this year, the Board has conducted over fifty Sustainability field days and empowerment-based training for farmers, extension workers, trainers and farm workers in all tobacco-growing regions. Additionally, tobacco growers are encouraged to adopt sound business practices, including tracking labour costs.

“By promoting sustainability, TIMB aims to improve workplace safety, health conditions, environmental conservation and income for farm workers. This ultimately contributes to positive economic growth and improved livelihoods for tobacco growers and their communities,” added TIMB.