Maravi

Farmers World starts distributing tractors

Farmers World starts distributing tractors
By Fortious Nhambura

INDIGENOUS agro-business dealer Farmers World has started distributing tractors and various other farming implements which it acquired from China to tobacco and other farmers throughout the country. The distribution had been put on hold to allow Government to assess the suitability of the farming implements to Zimbabwe’s climatic conditions and soils.

Speaking at the programme’s official launch yesterday, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono said the tractors would go a long way in helping the country achieve mechanisation, stressing it was imperative that all precautionary measures be taken to ascertain the suitability of the farming implements to the country’s geographical conditions.

He said the central bank had advised Farmers World to suspend the distribution of the equipment to give Government and the central bank time to assess its suitability.

"The implements were imported through a loan received from China and that loan will have to be repaid. As a result, we advised Farmers World to make sure that beneficiaries of the scheme would be in a position to generate foreign currency to enable the country to repay the loan.

"The central bank recommended Farmers World to put the distribution exercise on hold so that Government made sure the minimum standards of operability of the equipment for the good of the country and our relations with friendly nations that are keen to help us.

"It was important for RBZ, the Ministry of Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation and Farmers World to make pre- and post-delivery checks to avoid a repeat of past experiences," said Dr Gono, referring to the furore over inferior quality fertilizer imported from South Africa last year.

He said the central bank had recommended that the distribution be spread evenly across Zimbabwe and to all the country’s tobacco farming regions for the sake of transparency.

"We also understand that some regions do not have tobacco farmers and have put in place support programmes sustainable in those areas that do not engage in tobacco farming to encourage an equitable distribution of national resources," said Dr Gono.

"We saw that it was critical to have a proper inventory of the farming equipment so as to guard against abuse of these schemes and to promote accountability when it comes to national resources. RBZ has also recommended that the distribution be mindful of other groups such as women, war veterans and youths in the exercise," Dr Gono said.

He said the mechanisation programme would also see Members of Parliament, senators and chiefs, among other national leaders, getting an opportunity to own a tractor and farming implements in addition to ox-drawn implements for communal and resettled farmers.

"This is part of a holistic approach to the mechanisation programme and stakeholders should bear with the Government as the first part of the programme will not be able to cater for all farmers," he said.

Speaking at the same function, the Minister Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation, Dr Joseph Made, said he recognised the importance of private sector participation in land reform as the programme would not be complete without its participation.

Dr Made said it was important for farmers observe recommended the run-in periods as they adjust the equipment for optimum performance.

"My ministry will soon open depots at provincial, district and local level to teach farmers on how to maintain farming implements that will be supplied to them," said Dr Made.

Farmers World managing director Mr Edward Raradza said the tractors would be availed to both farmers contracted to his company and others.

"The names of the beneficiaries will be submitted to the central bank to allow for the smooth repayment of the loans. Distribution depots will be opened in Mvurwi for farmers in Mashonaland Central, Chinhoyi for Mashonaland West, Marondera for Mashonaland East and Rusape for Manicaland province," he said.

Labels: THE HERALD, TRACTORISATION

posted by MrK @ 5:19 AM