Abstract:
The study was conducted in Songea rural district in Ruvuma region to investigate the
environmental impact of dark fire tobacco. Community level data collection was
carried out using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, checklist guides
and field survey in four villages selected purposively. A total of 120 tobacco growing
households were interviewed. Analysis of both primary and secondary data was done
using Ms Excel and SPSS. Results indicated that cultivation of tobacco in the district
has resulted in the decimation of 333 033 hectares of forest land for the past three
decades of which 282 441 hectares are due to field preparation, fuelwood demand for
curing purpose consumed 52 957 hectares and 3389 hectares of catchment were
cleared for seedbed preparation for tobacco seedlings. It was also found that forest
land clearance has resulted into loss of biodiversity such as traditional medicines
(Anonas spp which is used in treating sterility and dysentery), wild animals (Gazella
soemmeringi), wild fruits (Uapaka kirkiana), and edible fungi (Termitomyces
aurantiacus). Moreover, losses of precious top soil in form of sheet erosion
particularly in sloping areas were reported by farmers. It is thus recommended that
all stakeholders in the district should be involved in the conservation of
environmental resources through the use of crop rotation, soil conservation
techniques, planting both native and natural trees especially in catchment areas, and
use of float seedbeds (box like trays) which use tobacco dust as medium for growth.
In addition, introduction of subsidies on agricultural inputs such as fertilizers,
herbicides and pesticides should be advocated as a means of reducing farmers’ over-
reliance on shifting cultivation, which has been found to be very detrimental to our
precious environment.
