Business Reporter
In a bid to bolster Zimbabwe’s agricultural resilience ahead of the predicted El Niño, Zimplow has a range of cost-effective, versatile machinery aimed at helping smallholder farmers conserve water and secure their harvests, the company’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Eunice Chivunga, announced at an agricultural summit organised by Zimpapers last week.
Speaking at the “Zimbabwe’s 2026/27 Agricultural Season: A Whole-of-Value-Chain Preparedness Summit” held at the Harare Show Grounds, Ms Chivunga emphasized that while El Niño is not synonymous with drought, every link in the value chain must prepare. She outlined Zimplow’s strategic focus on water conservation and harvesting, directly targeting the financial constraints faced by local farmers.
“Our message to the Zimbabwean smallholder farmer is centered on water conservation,” Ms Chivunga said. “We have managed to develop rippers that can be used to conserve moisture. When you rip the soil, you open it up to enable water to filter through, and the same water will be available for the crop roots.”
Ms Chivunga highlighted the affordability of Zimplow’s solutions. For farmers who already own a Mealie Brand plough, she noted that they only need to purchase the bottom assembly attachment to convert it into a ripper. The cost ranges from $17 to $30 depending on soil type, making it highly accessible for animal-drawn farmers.
To further aid in water harvesting, Zimplow has introduced a basin digger attachment, priced at $30 to $35. This implement allows farmers to dig basins that capture and store rainwater, sustaining crops between rainfall events. “We are prepared to serve the smallholder farmers, conserve moisture, prepare for El Niño, and ensure a harvest,” Ms Chivunga declared.
Addressing farmers looking to move away from manual drudgery, Ms Chivunga introduced a two-wheel tractor priced at approximately $1,600. This multi-purpose engine can operate rippers for moisture conservation and can also be attached to a water pump to draw water from rivers or dams for irrigation.
Turning to post-harvest losses and grain conservation—a point raised earlier at the summit —Ms Chivunga unveiled a multi-crop thresher. She emphasized its versatility, noting it can thresh maize, soybeans, sorghum, and millets, preparing them for bagging and storage. This addresses the need for farmers to grow crops appropriate for their specific regions, as highlighted by fellow speaker Wendy Madzura.
Ms Chivunga assured farmers of the durability of the equipment, stating it is made to last from “generation to generation” to ensure financial savings. She concluded her address with a message of optimism and solidarity.
“As Mealie Brand, we are ready for El Niño. We are not panicking. We are working with the farmers all the way, and all we are saying is, together we will make it,” she said.
