Limbe Leaf in forestry plantation drive

In response to climate change and the demand for tobacco curing wood, Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited has embarked on a commercial forestry plantation initiative on four leased farms in Kasungu District.

The company has planted over one million trees since March 2014 to support flue cured smallholder tobacco production.

Limbe Leaf forestry manager Lloyd Barker said on Monday they are managing tree production intensively by applying fertiliser and herbicides.

“We expect full harvesting of the first cycle of trees in 2020,” he said.

During the launch of the national forestry season in Balaka in January, President Petrer Mutharika urged Malawians to plant 60 million trees this year.

Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Bright Msaka are today expected to tour the Limbe Leaf Forestry Plantation Farm in Kasungu. n