DDF receives tillage machinery and equipment from government

Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter

The District Development Fund has received tillage machinery and equipment from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement as part of Government’s efforts to recapitalise the institution.

The machinery includes 18 horsepower tractors from Belarus and nine eight-row seed drills which are expected to improve tillage services to smallholder farmers in communal and resettlement areas and vulnerable farmers during the forthcoming 2021/22 summer copping season.

The machinery is being drawn from the Belarus Farm Mechanisation Programme launched by President Mnangagwa last year to capacitate farmers and improve production and productivity.

Handing over the machinery and equipment, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Douglas Karoro said increasing smallholder production and productivity through mechanisation remained the ministry’s key policy thrust.

“The Ministry’s policy to prioritise appropriate farm mechanisation technologies will lead to sustainable development of agricultural production in Zimbabwe, and ultimately food security,” he said.

Presidential Affairs and Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes Joram Gumbo said the handing over of the equipment came at an appropriate time ahead of the 2021/22 farming season.

“The tillage division within the DDF is mandated to provide tillage services to smallholder farmers in communal and resettlement areas,” he said. “The DDF plays a critical role in the provision of tillage services to resettled farmers, including ploughing, discing, planting and fertiliser spreading.”

DDF acting permanent secretary Mr Wlifred Kachitsa said the equipment will go a long way in helping farmers, especially the vulnerable which included child-headed families, and those who have lost their draught power to diseases.

“The tractors will go a long way to ensure DDF offers tillage services to farmers, we still need more machinery so we can ensure equitable development throughout the country,” he said.