Mass production of tobacco by the estates lowered its value, making it unprofitable for farmers to continue growing them. Many of the farmers became sustenance farmers growing maize so that they could feed their families with their own grains. The tobacco estates also engaged in indiscriminate deforestation. As a common pool resource with no government regulation, the tobacco estates chopped the trees for wood to flue-cure the leaves. The farmers were powerless against the large corporations and the long-time community management strategy that they had use to manage the natural resources on their land broke down.

The villagers in Wimbe had to regularly make a 15km journey by bike to collect a little wood for their daily activities such as cooking since they had no electricity. This spatial fix to the tragedy of the commons only resulted in more deforestation across the country and knock-on effects. Having a savannah climate, trees are essential in preventing flooding during the wet season. Without any roots to anchor the soil, the fertile topsoil and fertilizers are washed away. This leaves the land barren as the farmers are unable to afford more fertilizer. The soils which enter the rivers then clog up the turbine systems and power plants cannot operate, driving the cost of electricity up. Unable to grow crops and with no electricity, the only option Malawians have is to chop more trees to sell and for firewood, and the whole cycle repeats, leaving the country stuck in poverty.