admin
Midlands Bureau
THE Government has commissioned 25 tractors, part of a larger consignment of 300 acquired from Belarus, to focus on road rehabilitation and tillage in the Midlands province.
These tractors will be instrumental in preparing land for farming and developing rural road infrastructure, which is crucial for the growth of agriculture in the region.
According to the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) Midlands Provincial Acting Director, Mr Joseph Nhliziyana, the ultimate goal is to speed up rural industrialisation.
“These tractors are meant to service 4077 kilometers that are under our Province, so they are going to be disbursed in all 27 base camps dotted across the province, he said.
Mr Nhliziyana said one of RIDA’s mandates is to ensure that roads are trafficable.
We are also going to have one tractor for each district to ensure that they help farmers with tillage services in this summer cropping season,” he said.
The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube said the procurement of machinery from friendly nations speaks to the success of the engagement and reengagement efforts being pursued by President Mnangagwa.
“Today’s event underscores the New Dispensation’s results-oriented strategic decision to engage and re-engage with friendly nations, including the People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, and Belarus, which have consistently supported Zimbabwe’s mechanisation programme targeting agriculture, mining, health, and road construction, he said.
Minister Ncube said the tractors will enable RIDA to respond swiftly and efficiently to maintenance needs, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
RIDA is an arm of Government mandated to drive rural development through establishing and refurbishing existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
Online Reporter