adminAGRICULTURE is a critical sector in terms of the economic growth and development of our nation. Of concern, though, is the clear fact that the sector has experienced some setbacks which the nation could not address due to the economic meltdown in recent years.
During the period prior to 2009, the country experienced what was arguably the worst economic meltdown in history, during which basic commodities, fuel and foreign currency became scarce while infrastructure dilapidated owing to under-utilisation and lack of proper maintenance.
One key area that to date requires attention is agriculture infrastructural development and mechanisation.
Agricultural mechanisation refers to the provision and use of tools, equipment and machinery to fulfil agricultural operations and enhance farm labour productivity.
The use of various machines, power units, controls, systems and techniques to replace human or animal power coupled with improvements in plant genetics and plant breeding programmes, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are key factors in producing food surpluses.
Its major benefits include removal of manual hard labour and the improved timeliness and precision of field operations. If Zimbabwe’s agriculture is to evolve beyond national expectations, then, mechanisation has to be an integral component of our revival strategy.
If agriculture is truly the backbone of our economy, then mechanisation is the bedrock upon which agriculture is anchored.
It cannot flourish with poor mechanisation.
However, the majority of A2 farmers are yet to acquire basic agricultural machinery and equipment necessary for improving farm production.
The mechanisation of our farms is generally poor. The bulk of the equipment available on farms was either vandalized or is in a state of neglect. It is poorly maintained because of lack of relevant training and capital resources by the farmers.
All farmers have problems of servicing their equipment. The unavailability of required components or high costs of replacements is a major hindrance. As such, broken down or incomplete equipment, which includes disc ploughs, planters, oscillating spout spreaders and boom sprayers has become an eyesore on most farms across the country. You can hardly find new equipment on the farms.
It is against that background that we hail the move by our long time friend Russia to rescue our agriculture from this precarious state.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Elsewhere in this story we carry a story in which Agriculture Minister, Dr Joseph Made, revealed that Russia offered to provide a comprehensive kit of agricultural machinery and equipment.
The equipment is not limited to traditional tractors – but includes other elements of harvesting, planting, spraying, livestock, dairy, piggery, fishery, irrigation and poultry machinery and equipment.
Also Russia has offered to assist with fertiliser.
We call upon Dr Made’s ministry to do everything within its power to make the deals a success.
Zimbabwe needs to do more than signing MoUs. We must move from rhetoric to action by implementing workable strategies to raise agricultural productivity, relieve the poverty and hunger of our people and to increase food production that will bring down the cost of food and ensure sustainable food production and agricultural productivity.
We need investment in physical and agro-processing infrastructure. There is a strong positive relation between investment in rural infrastructure and the level of per hectare yield of food grains and government. The private sector and farmers need to invest in infrastructure development.
Such an investment will enable intensification and diversification of agricultural activities by enabling access to machinery, equipment, inputs, markets, education facilities, health service centres and information centres.
In addition, improved access to roads, irrigation facilities, electricity and storage and processing facilities helps improve the standard of living of the people.
Online Reporter