Chronicle Editor
Midlands Bureau
GOVERNMENT has commissioned 25 tractors for road rehabilitation and tillage in Midlands Province under the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida).
The 25 tractors are part of 38 earmarked for the Midlands Province from a consignment of 300 tractors acquired by President Mnangagwa from Belarus early this year.
Rida Midlands provincial acting director, Mr Joseph Nhliziyana, said the new tractors were meant to speed up rural industrialisation through development of road infrastructure and land preparation to boost agricultural output.
“These tractors are meant to service 4 077 kilometres that are under our province. So, they are going to be disbursed in all 27 base camps doted across the province,” he said during the commissioning event last Friday.
Mr Nhliziyana said Rida as one of the road authorities, has a mandate to ensure rural 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.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, said the procurement of machinery from friendly nations speaks to the success of the engagement and re-engagement efforts being pursued by the Second Republic.
“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 part of Government arms mandated to drive rural development through establishing and refurbishing existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
Online Reporter