Smallholder farmers' perceptions and constraints on the use of alternative energy sources to miombo wood and energy-efficient barns

摘要

Flue-cured tobacco consumes large quantities of wood, therefore, use of alternative energy sources to preferred indigenous miombo wood and energy-efficient barns may reduce tobacco-related deforestation of miombo woodlands. The objective of this studywas to identify smallholder farmers'perceptions and constraints on use of alternative energy sources to miombo wood and energy-efficient barns for tobacco curing, and identify factors affecting type of barn owned in Zimbabwe's tobacco growing belt. Multistage sampling of tobacco growers from districts lists, was used to select 200 smallholder farmers. In addition, twelve key informants were interviewed. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents. Multinomial regression was usedto analyse factors affecting type of barn owned and all the other variables were analysed using descriptive statistics. Eucalyptus species were perceived to have low calorific value, coal was associated with health problems and Bamboo [Oxytenanthera abyssinica) was deemed unsuitable for tobacco curing. Unavailability of electricity was cited as a constraint to the use of coal. Farmers with tertiary education and females were more likely to own more energy-efficient barns, relative to conventional barns. Setting up of electricity-powered tobacco processing centres, and demonstrations on energy-efficient barns and alternative energy sources in communities are recommended.