Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Research Board (Kutsaga) presented research on fertilizer efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy-saving tobacco curing technologies at the 70th Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) congress, held in Victoria Falls. One study examined the use of biofertilizers to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from tobacco production, finding that combining 75% of the recommended chemical fertilizer application with 75% biofertilizer produced the most promising balance between crop productivity and emissions reduction.
Kutsaga also presented its KCC2 tobacco-curing barn, designed to improve heat and moisture distribution while reducing reliance on grid electricity. Comparative trials found that KCC2 achieved a moisture-uniformity coefficient of variation of 3.11%, compared with 5.03% for its predecessor, KCC1. Malawi’s Agricultural Research and Extension Trust CEO Albert Changaya said his organization wants to adopt the technology and plans to invite Kutsaga engineers to Malawi to facilitate its transfer. Researchers also discussed alternative curing fuels, including liquefied petroleum gas, biomass briquettes, and biogas.
