Theseus Mauruki Shambare in BULAWAYO
AT least 16 000 tractors have been deployed and are available to support agricultural production ahead of the 2026/27 summer cropping season, as Government moves to expand mechanisation, while strengthening climate-smart farming to safeguard national food security.
The operational fleet remains below the national requirement of 40 000 tractors, with Government targeting to double the number of functional machines by 2030 through partnerships with manufacturers such as Deutz AG and ongoing mechanisation initiatives.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the priority was to ensure available machinery was fully utilised to support timely land preparation and planting.
“As Government, we currently have about 16 000 functional tractors across the country, against a national requirement of 40 000.
“As we prepare for the 2026/27 summer cropping season, our priority is to ensure that this machinery is fully utilised and available to farmers to support timely land preparation and planting,” he said.
Government is also promoting access to Belarusian machinery through three-year repayment terms, no collateral requirements and an interest rate of 7,5 percent.
Prof Jiri said the Presidential mechanisation arrangement with the Belarusian company was supported by after-sales services that helped keep equipment operational.
“Mechanisation is not simply about delivering tractors to farmers; it is about ensuring that the equipment remains functional and productive throughout its lifespan.
“We are encouraged by the mobile technical support and maintenance services that enable technicians to attend to machinery in the field and minimise downtime,” he said.
During an ongoing media tour of farms in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces to assess the operational readiness of machinery supplied under the programme ahead of the summer cropping season, BiSON Agro Machinery marketing director Mr Andrei Kleinov said the first two phases of the Belarus mechanisation programme had supplied 1 811 tractors, while the third phase had delivered more than 300, with further deliveries continuing.
He said more than 2 000 Belarusian tractors were now operating across the country, alongside over 90 combine harvesters supplied under the three phases.
Mr Kleinov said the company had deployed mobile service vehicles to provide on-farm technical support and maintenance, helping farmers minimise downtime, although major mechanical faults sometimes required attention at workshops or service centres.
“When we visit the farms where Belarus tractors work, and when we see the type of wheat that has been grown, we understand that what we are talking about is not only politics or conversations, but also real results that we can see in real Zimbabwean farms.
“We are doing rounds and giving any possible service assistance to recipients of our machinery to ensure there will not be any breakdowns as farmers seek to have a successful season despite the predicted El Niño conditions,” he said.
The benefits of mechanisation are also extending to farmers through private tractor-hiring services.
Mr Mark Mbayiwa of Ingalulu Investments, which operates in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and parts of the Midlands, hires out machinery to farmers who have land, but cannot afford to buy their own tractors.
He said the equipment’s versatility and on-board compressors helped reduce downtime, particularly during hay baling when tyre punctures can interrupt operations.
“These tractors have allowed us to buy more implements so that the machine is never off season in any year,” he said.
Near Lalapansi in Gweru, farmer Mr Clever Matutu said access to machinery was helping farmers prepare land for summer cropping, while completing winter wheat operations.
He has 50 hectares under wheat and expects a yield of at least eight tonnes per hectare.
“It is a wonderful deal. It is a dream come true for farmers.
“We have been praying for a deal like this so that we have enough equipment. It is not easy to be able to afford a new tractor.
“We are already transitioning into the summer cropping season,” he said.
While mechanisation is expected to support production at scale and replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve, smallholder farmers are being mobilised through the climate-smart Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The initiative provides inputs for production on small plots to strengthen household food security, while encouraging farmers to deliver surplus grain to the Grain Marketing Board. Preparations are approaching five million plots, although fertiliser supplies remain uneven.
“Fertiliser is moving. Top we have all. Compound D is now about half of the required but fertiliser houses assured us of more stocks,” Prof Jiri said.
The season is expected to be challenging, with the Meteorological Services Department forecasting a high likelihood of El Niño conditions and below-normal rainfall.
Government is promoting drought-tolerant traditional grains, moisture conservation and irrigation, while targeting a dedicated SGR of 600 000 tonnes by October 2027.
Source: Over 16 000 tractors deployed ahead of summer cropping season – herald
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