Fanuel Kangondo at The Herald tells us that in Zimbabwe, tobacco farming is critical in promoting food security. Mr Kangondo quotes Lovemore Manatsa of British American Tobacco Zimbabwe, who said that smallholders produced tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) more cheaply than larger farmers which ‘translated to socially and economically positive developments… employment opportunities, agronomy training, Aids awareness, tree plantings and child labour education.’
Surprised? Me too. Smoking is seen as a bad thing to do, these days, in most of Europe and North America. But it’s rising in China.
Of course it’s Mr Manatsa’s job to promote the tobacco industry. You can choose how to judge his words.
Science on the Land 