GOVERNMENT on Saturday received 30 tractors that are part
of the US$50 million deal it signed with global tractor manufacturer, John
Deere, in November 2018.
The deal — which will see John Deere supplying 1 300
tractors, 80 combine harvesters and other related agricultural equipment — was
cemented following President Mnangagwa’s engagement with John Deere Agriculture
Worldwide president Mr Mark von Pentz who expressed his willingness to partner
the Government in boosting the agriculture sector through mechanisation.
The tractors were shipped from Germany to Zimbabwe via
Durban, South Africa. President Mnangagwa’s historic meeting with Mr Pentz
culminated in negotiations paving way for John Deere to re-enter the Zimbabwean
market after a 20-year absence.
The deal has long been touted as a milestone to farm mechanisation
in Zimbabwe, with a private financier CBZ Bank being identified by Government
to ensure its sustainability.
John Deere local representative Mr Graeme Smith said his
company was committed to working with the Zimbabwe Government to ensure food
security through the provision of farm equipment.
“More equipment is on its way and will be assembled at the
Institute of Agriculture Engineering where training will be conducted to
prospective farmers,” he said.
The country requires 40 000 tractors, but only has 12 000
of which 9 000 are functional, while 3 000 require repairs. This deficit of
farm machinery and implements has been affecting agricultural production and
productivity, hence Government’s intervention.
Under the John Deere deal, the Ministry of Lands,
Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement will assist in the selection and
training of beneficiaries.
The arrival of the equipment is a boost to the country’s
agriculture sector, with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga having declared
during the 2020 winter wheat programme launch last week that Government would
do everything within its means to eliminate food shortages permanently. Herald
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