Andrew
Sunday Mail Reporter
Government has set up 22 agriculture mechanisation hubs countrywide to facilitate farmers’ access to tillage equipment during the forthcoming 2022/2023 summer cropping season.
The hubs, under the Agricultural Finance Company (AFC)’s leasing arm, will offer farmers cutting-edge tillage, harvesting, logistics and processing equipment throughout the season.
It is believed that access to modern equipment will boost production in line with Government’s goal of attaining food self-sufficiency.
Six mechanisation hubs have been set up in Mashonaland West Province in Karoi, Chinhoyi, Banket, Bindura, Glendale and Mt Darwin, while three hubs in Marondera, Chivhu and Hwedza have been established in Mashonaland East Province.
In Masvingo, farmers will access equipment from Gutu and Masvingo district, while those in Midlands can lease the equipment from Gweru, Kwekwe and Mvuma.
Other hubs are in Bulawayo, Gwanda, Bubi, Lupane and Rusape.
Chief director in the department of agricultural engineering, mechanisation and soil conservation in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Engineer Edwin Zimhunga, said leasing equipment ensures access for all farmers.
“Each cluster centre has an array of agricultural engineering and mechanisation equipment, which includes tractors, ploughs, harrows, planters, combine harvesters, grain threshers and many other pre- and post-harvest equipment,” he said.
“Mechanisation is a delicate matter that accounts for the largest capital investment in farming business.
“Government realised that you do not need to own all the sophisticated machinery in agriculture to be a successful, productive and competitive farmer.
“Thus, the mechanisation hubs leasing model is a solution to this need.”
To access the equipment, he said, farmers must enter into a commercial agreement with AFC Leasing Company. Farmers are given various payment options to access the equipment.
“The farmers can pay for the services in advance (prepaid terms if they have the resources) or they negotiate a credit (post-paid payment terms based on their production and insured cropping).
“Once farmers harvest and get paid by the product off-takers, they can opt for a stop-order facility or direct payment method to the AFC Leasing Company.”
Government, added Eng Zimhunga, will soon establish mechanisation hubs for farmers under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme.
“This facility is going through the necessary procurement processes,” he said.
“The smallholder Pfumvudza/ Intwasa mechanisation model is pinned on a service provider approach at ward and village level in line with Vision 2030.”
He said a pilot of this scheme will see farmers accessing 600 two-wheel tractors, zero-till planters, hole diggers and ridgers, among other equipment.
“To date, we have received 68 two-wheel tractors.
“The equipment is 100 percent locally manufactured.”
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter