Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
The Expanded Agricultural Mechanisation Facility, set to be launched by President Mnangagwa today, is expected to accelerate the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector by helping rural households transition from traditional ox-drawn ploughing to mechanised farming.
Today’s programme is being steered by Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka.
Chief Director responsible for Agricultural Engineering, Mechanisation and Farm Infrastructure, Dr Edwin Zimhunga said Government is seeking to transform the agricultural sector by extending mechanisation to all farming communities.
The initiative is in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Dr Zimhunga said the facility seeks to move rural households away from labour-intensive traditional farming methods towards modern, mechanised agriculture.
“We have been preaching Pfumvudza and we have seen its benefits. Going forward, we are saying let us retire the hand-held ploughs to the museum. Let’s retire mombe and madhongi and modernise agriculture,” he said.
Under the facility, farmers will receive a package of implements designed to mechanise various farming operations and improve efficiency.
The starter package comprises a 25-horsepower tractor and a range of implements, including a reaper, cultivator, plough, disc harrow, planter, boom sprayer, trailer, mower, baler, rake and tractor-mounted harvester.
Dr Zimhunga said Government had partnered eight financial institutions to facilitate farmers’ access to the equipment through affordable financing arrangements.
“As a starting point, every village must have one unit. For those with the capacity to own a unit at household level, they can engage the financial institutions that Government has partnered and pay for the equipment over a period of five years,” he said.
