Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
Government is convinced mechanisation remains one of the main drivers of agricultural transformation, given its potential to increase productivity and efficiency.
This came out during the official opening of the Bison Agro Machinery Service Centre in Chiredzi this Tuesday.
Farmers in the Lowveld are excited about the establishment, under the Zimbabwe – Belarus Farm Mechanisation Programme.
The development is expected to assist farmers with the much-needed mechanisation solutions at the same time ensuring improved productivity in the sugarcane farming sector.
A farmer said, “This programme is a true reflection of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’ in terms of development. We are benefitting from the Zimbabwe-Belarus Farm Mechanisation Programme and we are grateful.”
Another added, “This is a massive programme considering the direction that the agriculture sector is going. This is highly important because we are now reducing costs in terms of haulage which has been one of the major costs. It’s a privilege having this service centre to support us.”
Bison Agro Machinery Company chief executive officer, Mr Leanid Pinchuk commended sugarcane farmers in Chiredzi for adopting a modern business approach to their farming operations through mechanisation.
“I was surprised how farmers here are organised. This is one of the best farming region in Zimbabwe. It’s true because, for the past 6 months, Chiredzi received more than 100 tractors after the farmers’ request. We want to organise support for those farmers. The service centre will provide spare parts, trainings and everything that the farmers need in terms of mechanisation.”
The establishment of the service centre comes after the launch of the Zimbabwe – Belarus Farm Mechanisation Programme in Chiredzi, where close to 60 sugarcane farmers benefitted.
Masvingo province director of provincial coordination, Ms Rosemary Chingwe said, “Over 150 Belarus tractors are working in Chiredzi with private farmers. The cooperation did not end when the programme was launched, today we witness the opening of the agro machinery service centre to provide high-quality service and spare parts back-up to all farmers in and around Chiredzi.”
Over the past three years, the country has received agricultural equipment from Belarus which includes tractors and combined harvesters as part of the government’s efforts to modernise and boost production in the agriculture sector.
