GOVERNMENT has earmarked $25 billion for an expanded farm mechanisation programme that involves developing new clean energy sources and infrastructure in farming communities, as well as providing on-site value-addition equipment.
The move is geared towards modernising agriculture through expansion of the scope of the current mechanisation programme.
Chief director for agricultural engineering, mechanisation and soil conservation in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Engineer Edwin Zimunga, said the $25 billion in the 2023 Budget is an improvement from last year’s allocation of $1 billion.
“All issues pertinent to the agricultural transformation strategy are catered for in the 2023 Budget,” said Eng Zimunga.
He said Government is now considering mechanisation as a process that goes beyond just providing tractors and combine harvesters.
“We are looking to secure farm infrastructure development components.
“This includes focusing on providing new sources of energy through harnessing wind, solar and hydro to counter power challenges being faced by the national power utility.
“We are also looking at developing the road network around farms, and buildings on farms.
“The idea is to standardise agriculture under our development agenda.
“All these areas were not accounted for in previous budget appropriations,” he said.
A portion of the funds, he added, will be directed towards efforts to reduce post-harvest losses.
“While we have taken the thrust to do value addition on farms, we continue to lose most of our crops to poor post-harvesting management practices and lack of agro-processing equipment.
“We are driving towards agriculture industrialisation through value addition.
“We cannot industrialise without the required technology being provided to the farmers.”
Eng Zimunga said, for the first time, funds had been budgeted for soil management and conservation in response to climate change.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union executive director Mr Paul Zakariya commended Government for improving financial allocations towards the agriculture sector.
“Mechanisation is key to doubling our production, and having a Government that spearheads such initiatives is a plus for us as farmers,” he said.
“A mechanised agriculture sector promotes precision farming, which improves productivity.
“With such a setup, all the set targets can be surpassed and Zimbabwe will certainly be food-secure.”
Presently, Zimbabwe has a fleet of 10 800 tractors and 189 combine harvesters, which contributed immensely to a successful 2022 winter wheat season.
Mazowe farmer Mr Lloyd Chitate emphasised the importance of technology in modern agriculture.
“If it was not for the Government’s intervention that witnessed the leasing of tractors and combine harvesters to farmers, the winter wheat season could not have been a success,” he said.
This year, Government procured 1 337 tractors and 248 combine harvesters through the Belarus Farm Mechanisation Facility. – The Sunday Mail
