Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
ZIMBABWE is intensifying efforts to close critical gaps in agricultural mechanisation and irrigation as it seeks to boost productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos is leading a delegation at Agritechnica 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment, held biennially in Hanover, Germany.
Speaking from Hanover, Haritatos said the delegation will engage with global suppliers to address Zimbabwe’s pressing mechanisation needs.
“We have just over 16 000 functional tractors in Zimbabwe, but we still require up to 40 000,” he said.
“With regards to combines, we have about 395 functional combines, but we still need up to 600.
When it comes to implements, we need four implements per every tractor, which means up to 160 000 implements,” he said.
The minister highlighted that the focus of the current mission is on tractors and combine harvesters, while future engagements will include local implement suppliers.
“We want to ensure that we plant in time, harvest in time, and reduce post-harvest losses. Our farmers’ profitability depends on these interventions,” he said.
Agritechnica, running from November 9 to 15 at the Hanover Exhibition Centre, brings together over 2 700 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, showcasing innovations from autonomous machinery to digital farm systems.
This year’s theme, “Touch Smart Efficiency,” emphasises networked, digital solutions for sustainable and productive agriculture.
Deputy Minister Haritatos said the delegation will also explore climate-smart irrigation technologies.
“We want to expand irrigation to 496 000 hectares across the country. Currently, we have just over 220 000 hectares of functional irrigation. Climate change is affecting us and we need to shift farmers from rain-fed agriculture to sustainable irrigation,” he said.
In addition, the team will engage with companies offering soil mapping, soil testing and artificial intelligence solutions to improve farming efficiency.
“Our soils are very acidic. We need technology and methodologies to improve soil health and productivity,” he said.
He emphasised that mechanisation and modern technologies are integral to transforming Zimbabwean agriculture into a profitable business.
“Farming is a business. We are here to learn best practices from global experts and bring these innovations back to benefit our farmers,” Deputy Minister Haritatos said.
Zimbabwe’s participation in Agritechnica reflects a broader government push to modernise the agricultural sector, improve crop and livestock productivity and reduce losses through better storage, mechanisation and climate-smart practices.
