See how we're transforming tobacco farming in Malawi with an approach that turns trees into sustainable structures.
Growers need barns to cure their tobacco crops, but these can have negative consequences for the environment.
A ‘live barn,’ is a barn that is made by planting trees that grow to form the main part of a barn within three to four years. We require growers to establish one live barn for each hectare of tobacco they plant. We first started planting trees in Malawi with the aim of creating live curing barns back in 2013, with the first live barns being used for tobacco curing in 2016.
Traditional tobacco barns in Malawi use a lot of wood for curing tobacco leaves. That puts pressure on local forests and, ultimately, our environment. But what if we could find a way to cure tobacco that's both better for growers and better for our planet?
Instead of using wooden posts that need regular replacement, we're helping growers plant fast-growing eucalyptus trees in a barn-shaped formation. As these trees grow, they create a living structure that's both beautiful and practical.
We are building a better future and saving natural resources by utilizing live barns for the tobacco curing process.
In Malawi, we’ve got more than 120 full-time farming experts who train our growers on how to build live barns. To do this effectively, we regularly train our farming experts on nursery establishment and management, tree planting, tending, and live barn establishment.
It’s always difficult to determine the best location for a live barn as there are so many factors to consider. The site of planting is just as critical as the species of tree. While proximity to the growers' home is important, other considerations such as topography, climate, and soil are key.
Once planting has taken place, it’s vital that the trees are managed, nurtured, and tended. This requires a strong level of commitment from the grower. Livestock damage, fire and disease can have a devastating impact on the trees.
A potential barn usually materializes three to four years after planting. By this stage, the live barn is ready to be roofed in preparation for the forthcoming growing season.
After three to four years of hard work, a roof is constructed and a live curing barn is born.
The Live Barns initiative is more than just an innovative way to cure tobacco – it's proof that small changes can have big impacts. By working together with our growers, we're finding practical solutions that work for everyone: our growers, our business, and our planet.