Evaluation of the Curing Efficiency of the Rocket Barn in Zimbabwe

A research to evaluate the curing efficiency of the rocket barn in Zimbabwe was carried out at Kutsaga research station. The main objectives were to assess the wood fuel consumption and the total time taken to complete curing in a rocket barn (trial) in comparison to the conventional barn (control). Tobacco leaves collected from the same field at the same time was loaded into the barns. Same quantities of fuel wood, with similar moisture content, were loaded into the barns at the same time. Curing also started at same time. Wood fuel quantity consumed were recorded as well as the total time to complete the curing cycle .The results indicated that the rocket barn consumed about 47 -50% of the wood fuel quantity used in the conventional barn to complete curing. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in total times taken to complete curing by both barns. The rocket barn is, hence, more efficient in wood fuel consumption and, can be recommended for adoption in the smallholder tobacco growing sector in Zimbabwe in order to reduce the rate of tobacco production related deforestation.