Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer — Agribusiness
THE Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) has partnered with the Government in facilitating access and disbursement of tractors under the Belarus scheme to advance mechanisation and food and nutrition security.
Presenting financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2024, ZWMB chief executive, Dr Mandas Marikanda, said her organisation collaborated with the Ministries of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion and Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to access and disburse 260 Belarus tractors, further supporting rural mechanisation.
“Mashonaland East combined mechanisation with dairy farming to create diverse economic opportunities for women.
“Dairy farmers in Marondera expanded operations with input loans, while others accessed Belarus tractors to improve land preparation,” she said.
Dr Marikanda revealed that the synergy between traditional and modern agricultural practices demonstrated the potential for inclusive growth when women are given the right tools and resources.
“The success of ZWMB in Mashonaland Central was largely driven by the Belarus tractor mechanisation programme, wherein agricultural cooperatives received loans to purchase and operate tractors, enabling them to expand acreage and improve yields.
“Mechanisation proved to be a game-changer for many women who were previously constrained by manual labour and limited equipment,” she said.
Masvingo province was also not left out in the mechanisation bandwagon as local women accessed the Belarus tractors, allowing them to mechanise their farming processes and reduce labour intensity.
“The success of sugarcane cooperatives in the Lowveld was particularly notable, as ZWMB’s structured finance packages allowed them to increase yields and improve profitability.
“Mechanisation not only enhanced productivity but also paved the way for women to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors,” Dr Marikanda highlighted.
Following concerns that of the 4,31 million arable hectares in the country, one million was under draught power, only half a million under tractor power, with a balance of 3,3 million hectares requiring mechanisation, President Mnangagwa launched the US$51 million Belarus Farm Mechanisation phase one in 2020.
The first phase saw the delivery of 474 tractors, 60 combine harvesters, 210 planters and five lowbed trucks.
The equipment was distributed to Government institutions, including the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), AFC Leasing Company and individual farmers through local banks and this increased the 2022/2023 tillage and harvesting capacity by 50 000 and 60 000 hectares respectively.
The second phase of the Belarus Farm Mechanisation, worth US$52 million, brought tractors, disc harrows and combine harvesters, with Phase three valued at US$169 million, providing tractors and combine harvesters.
The equipment is being distributed to creditworthy farmers through local banks.
It is anticipated that the equipment under the Belarus facility will ameliorate the challenges by farmers in timely access to mechanisation services.
Mechanisation reduces drudgery and labour shortage.
Meanwhile, ZWMB also partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture under the Agric4She programme, where it disbursed over 2 000 input loans to women farmers in Mashonaland East, West and Central provinces.
“The inputs, which include maize seed, fertiliser and chemicals, were given to women, which allowed them to improve crop productivity and food security,” said Dr Marikanda.
