Zimbabwean farmers will receive agricultural equipment worth US$38mn from Brazil under the ‘More Food Africa’ programme to be used during the 2014-15 summer cropping season

Zimbabwe-farmer-Africa RenewalThe ‘More Food Africa’ programme will see farmers in Zimbabwe receive a grant of US$38mn for farming machinery. (Image source: Africa Renewal)

Speaking at the 2nd National Dialogue on Agro-Business, Food and Nutrition Security set-up by the National Economic Consultative Forum and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, acting president, Cde Joice Mujuru stated that the first part of the loan facility will be mobilised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development from Brazil.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development has mobilised a total of US$98mn from Brazil. This is in form of irrigation and mechanisation equipment,” said Mujuru.

“A contract between the ministry and suppliers for the first tranche of US$38mn has been signed and the first tranche is expected by September 2014 for the summer cropping,” Mujuru added.

Mujuru stated the Zimbabwean government has also restored 36 irrigation schemes across Zimbabwe covering 3,060ha, with 60 per cent of the irrigation beneficiaries being women.

The government is currently reviving Bonde and Nyanyadzi irrigation schemes which cover 300ha.