The private sector should harness technology and use its expertise to complement government programmes in agriculture, boost yields and ensure Zimbabwe gets the best out of all its resources and assets, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Perence Shiri has said.
Speaking at the recent launch of Cassava Smartech’s latest innovation, Vaya Tractor services, Minister Shiri said the introduction of technology will help boost yields and ensure efficient utilisation of available resources at a time the country is facing a deficit of farming implements and equipment.
According to Minister Shiri the country has a deficit of 33 000 tractors, 10 000 planters and 500 combine harvesters.
But with technology, such as Vaya Tractor, that gap could be narrowed through the efficient allocation of the limited resources.
The Vaya Tractor service, which is part of EcoFarmer Equipment Hire platform, connects farmers from anywhere in Zimbabwe to access farming equipment for ploughing, discing, reaping, planting, fertilizer spreading, ridging, boom spraying, harvesting, trailer works as well as services that complement farming such as water availability.
“The introduction of such a service therefore complements our efforts and will help us to ensure there is efficient utilization of available resources and a boost in agricultural productivity,” said Minister Shiri.
He noted that one of the impediments to full utilisation of the land has been the challenge by farmers to access farming equipment, pointing out that Vaya Tractor would help address this.
“We believe our role as government is to facilitate and capacitate the farming community to ensure our land is fully utilised for us to produce enough to feed the nation and even (produce) surplus to export for us to regain our status as the breadbasket of Africa.”
The launch of EcoFarmer Equipment Hire platform is therefore “set to transform the Agricultural sector through providing farming equipment as well as services that complement farming such as water availability,” said Minister Shiri.
He pledged to continue to provide the necessary support so as to ensure that more solutions are developed to complement government efforts.
“Our vision as government is to see more companies harness technology and all our expertise to complement government programs and ensure that Zimbabwe gets the best out of all its assets,” said Minister Shiri.
