The ManicaPost
Ray Bande in CHIPINGE
GOVERNMENT is intensifying its agricultural mechanisation drive, with acquisition of new farming equipment that includes tractors and combined harvesters which will be accessible to a wider farming community.
In his address at a field day held today at Taguta Farm in Chipinge East constituency, Lands Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said the country has already taken delivery of 1 300 tractors while 3 000 more are expected to arrive in June.
“We have several partners under the Mechanisation Development Alliance programme where we hope to boost the standards of our farming practices. We currently have 1 300 tractors waiting for farmers to collect. After those 1 300 are taken, there are 3 000 more that will be in the country in June.
“We are doing that mindful of the farming season because if one does not pay attention to timing then they lose it. We have banks that we agreed with to help in provision of these tractors such as AFC and CBZ. One just pays 15 percent and pays the rest over three years. We also have a programme on combine harvesters. We will receive 80 combine harvesters that will arrive here in April. They will go under the AFC Leasing programme. The same will go for the 1 500 more tractors that we will be receiving. We know not all farmers can afford to buy tractors but through the AFC Leasing programme these farming implements will serve a wider community of our farmers until they are empowered to secure their own.”
Minister Masuka also reassured the nation that no one will starve as enough grain is in stock.
Speaking during the same function Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, thanked Government for prioritising irrigation facilities and explained how Manicaland has immensely benefited.
Minister Mugadza, however, implored Minister Masuka to facilitate more irrigation infrastructure for the province.
