Farai Mabeza, Senior Staff Writer 
THE government plans to mobilise an additional 93 combine harvesters and to import US$17 million worth of grain dryers in response to the harvesting demands of the current farming season.
Monica Mutsvangwa, Information Minister
Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa told a post cabinet press briefing this week that while the country was awaiting the results of the first round of the crops and livestock assessment later in March, 2021, the government would, for planning purposes, use estimated national production figures of 2,5 to 2,8 million metric tonnes for maize and 360 000 metric tonnes for traditional grains, which represents significant increases from last year.
“Regarding the supply of combine harvesters for the efficient and timeous harvesting of grain, an additional 72 and 21 combine harvesters from the John Deere Facility and the Belarus Programme will be mobilised, respectively,” Mutsvangwa said.
“…In the same vein, (government) is importing an additional 13 mobile grain dryers from Italy, to the tune of US$1,3 million each, with a capacity of 28 metric tonnes per shift and up to 140 metric tonnes per day.”
According to Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe is also mobilising internal capacity for combine harvesting through the repair of 25 non-functional combines which are owned by institutions and individuals.
“Furthermore, a total of 200 shellers, which will be made available through the Land Bank Special Purpose Vehicle, Agriculture and Rural Development Authority and Grain Marketing Board on a cost recovery basis, will be produced by the local industry for use in harvesting 200 000 hectares for the 120-day harvesting period,” she said.
Government last year launched a US$51 million John Deere Mechanisation facility which it said would unlock 1 300 tractors, 80 combine harvesters, 600 planters, 200 disc harrows, 100 boom sprayers and 100 trailers, to boost productivity. Farmers have taken up 54 of the 60 tractors availed so far.
The scheme is being steered by CBZ Bank and Stanbic Bank through a hire purchase facility, with farmers required to pay a 15 percent cash deposit before taking delivery of the equipment. Agribank is leasing some of the machinery through its agriculture equipment leasing vehicle, which is providing farmers with mechanisation service, especially combine harvesters.
Farmers are required to pay off their debts over three years. The deal with the global tractor manufacturer was entered into in November 2018.
The government also entered into a US$51 million mechanisation facility with Belarus under which 474 tractors, 210 planters, 60 combine harvesters and five lowbed trucks were to be sourced.
Last year, the government said Zimbabwe required 40 000 tractors and 600 combine harvesters with associated matching implements.
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