Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has commissioned 28 tractors for road rehabilitation and tillage in Matabeleland South under the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida), which will bring relief to farmers facing draught power challenges after their livestock was affected by the El Nino-induced drought.
The tractors are part of a consignment of 300 tractors acquired by President Mnangagwa from Belarus early this year.
The fleet is meant to speed up rural industrialisation through development of road infrastructure and land preparation to boost agricultural output. Rida Matabeleland South acting provincial co-ordinator, Mr Joseph Dube, said the tractors will help the agency to fulfil its mandate.
He said a total of 22 tractors have been allocated towards road maintenance while six will be used for tillage. This will ensure that communities have access to traffickable, appropriate and user friendly roads, as well as tillage services.
The tractors for road maintenance have been distributed to all 22 Rida base camps in all seven districts of the province.
“A lot of farmers have lost their livestock because of the El-Nino-induced drought and these animals are a source of draught power for the farmers.
“Many farmers are in desperate need of assistance and these tractors will enable us to provide tillage assistance to farmers,” said Mr Dube in an interview.
“The Meteorological Services Department has predicted normal to above normal rainfall season, which means farmers will be looking forward to a good farming season. We hope to get disc ploughs and disc harrows soon so that we can put these tractors to good use.”
Mr Dube said the new tractors have come at an opportune time to augment the old fleet, which is constantly breaking down.
He said they also look forward to improving the province’s road network and would need more resources towards reviving silted dams to improve water harvesting.
In a speech read on her behalf by the director for infrastructure, planning and environmental management in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Daniel Njowa, during the commissioning ceremony in Gwanda on Monday, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, said access to such equipment was critical for rural development.
She said this will fundamentally contribute to community transformation towards an empowered upper middle income society by 2030.
“This fulfilment represents our collective vision spearheaded by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa for a brighter future built on collaboration, commitment, international engagement and re-engagement,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“Today, we are here to witness and mark the completion of delivery of these Belarus tractors that are coming in handy to boost our infrastructure development agenda, as espoused in pillar number three of the National Development Strategy 1 on infrastructure and utilities.”
She said the tractors represent hope that is pinned on the fulfilment of promises of the Second Republic under the philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.” —@DubeMatutu
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