President Mnangagwa Launches Farm Mechanisation Drive

President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched an expanded agricultural mechanisation programme under Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which will see smallholder farmers in all 35,000 villages across the country getting access to modern farming equipment.

The programme was launched at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering in Hatcliffe, Harare, as Government steps up efforts to improve agricultural production and strengthen food security.

President Mnangagwa said the initiative was aimed at closing the gap between large-scale commercial farmers and communal farmers, who have traditionally relied on manual labour.

“This marks a major milestone in our drive towards rural industrialisation, smart farming, and the upliftment of our smallholder farmers. Agriculture remains a strategic pillar for Zimbabwe’s development,” he said.

He said more than one million hectares were now under Pfumvudza/Intwasa, adding that farmers needed modern equipment to increase production.

“Zimbabwe must transition away from arduous manual labour towards technological production and modern agricultural methods. Farming has become a serious business,” said President Mnangagwa.

The equipment being provided includes 25-horsepower tractors, two-wheel tractors, direct seeders, trailers, multi-crop threshers and other farming implements.

The machinery will benefit Village Business Units (VBUs), Youth Business Units, schools and rural households taking part in the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.

“Under my administration, mechanisation will remain available, appropriate, and affordable to improve yields and cut production costs,” he said.

President Mnangagwa also thanked financial institutions, including AFC and CBZ, for supporting the programme through loans and flexible repayment arrangements.

He challenged universities and other institutions of higher learning to help develop and manufacture agricultural machinery locally.

“Furthermore, I challenge our institutions of higher learning to step up and lead in the domestic production and innovation of agricultural machinery,” he said.

The President said the Government was also expanding irrigation schemes and improving rural roads to help farmers increase production and transport their produce to markets.

He said the projects would create jobs, support local industries and help communities deal with climate change.

On the coming farming season, Mnangagwa urged farmers to remain alert to possible El Niño conditions.

“My administration has already drafted a comprehensive 6-point drought mitigation strategy to safeguard our farmers, protect our livestock, and ensure our nation remains food secure,” he said.