ZIMBABWE’S population is steadily increasing, leading to a significant rise in the demand for key agricultural products such as maize, tobacco, wheat, potatoes, dairy milk and poultry meat.
To address these growing demands and ensure food security, the government of Zimbabwe has engaged in a strategic bilateral co-operation agreement with Belarus.
This partnership centres on agricultural mechanisation, with Belarus providing advanced machinery and technical expertise aimed at modernising Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
This collaboration has already seen the delivery of tractors, combine harvesters and other essential agricultural machinery to Zimbabwean farmers.
These developments are pivotal in transforming farming practices and align with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, as articulated in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Vision 2030 aspires to position Zimbabwe as an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030.
Agricultural productivity is a critical pillar of this developmental blueprint.
Mechanisation refers to the use of machinery and technology in farming to enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
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In Zimbabwe, where agriculture constitutes a significant proportion of GDP, where over 60% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood and employs a substantial share of the population, mechanisation is indispensable for rural development, poverty reduction and national food sovereignty.
Mechanisation strengthens food supply chains and reduces food inflation, a persistent challenge in the country’s economic environment.
Mechanisation allows farmers to perform agricultural tasks such as land preparation, planting and harvesting more effectively and in less time.
The use of tractors, for example, facilitates cultivation over larger areas of land with reduced human effort.
This results in increased crop yields and better quality of produce.
For smallholder farmers who may lack sufficient labour, mechanisation provides a solution to scale up production and increase incomes.
Higher productivity also contributes to price stabilisation in the domestic market.
When agricultural output rises, the supply of food products increases, which exerts downward pressure on prices.
This is particularly important in a country where food inflation remains a key challenge.
Affordable food prices improve household food access and contribute to poverty alleviation.
Food security is a national priority.
Mechanisation enhances the capacity of farmers to meet the dietary needs of the growing population.
By reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture and increasing the efficiency of production systems, farmers can produce consistent yields regardless of climate variability.
This creates a more resilient agricultural sector capable of ensuring year-round food availability.
Moreover, mechanisation contributes to import substitution by reducing the need to import basic food commodities.
As domestic production improves, Zimbabwe can focus on achieving self-sufficiency in key staples such as maize and wheat, thus preserving foreign currency reserves.
Farm machinery such as precision planters and sprayers ensure the accurate application of inputs like seed, fertiliser, and agrochemicals.
This not only improves crop health and yield but also reduces waste and production costs.
Efficient input usage is particularly crucial in Zimbabwe, where input prices are relatively high and access to finance remains limited.
Improved operational efficiency also means that farmers can better manage their time and labour resources.
The time saved during planting and harvesting can be allocated to other income-generating activities or reinvested into value-adding farming processes.
According to Professor Stephen Mashingaidze, “climate change poses significant risks to agriculture in Zimbabwe, with increasingly erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts. Mechanisation, particularly when integrated with information and communication technologies, can help farmers adapt to these changes.
“Precision farming tools and real-time data analytics allow farmers to make informed decisions regarding irrigation, planting schedules and input application. Additionally, mechanised irrigation systems provide a reliable water supply during dry spells, reducing the dependency on rainfall. This resilience is vital for stabilising food production and ensuring the viability of farming as a livelihood.”
One of the key economic benefits of mechanisation is the reduction of labour and harvest-related costs.
Manual harvesting is time-consuming and often results in significant post-harvest losses.
By contrast, mechanised harvesting ensures timely and efficient collection of produce, minimising losses and maximising marketable output.
Reduced reliance on manual labour also lowers wage bills, thereby increasing farmers’ profit margins.
The capital saved can be reinvested into farm expansion, diversification into high-value crops, or the purchase of additional equipment.
These investments contribute to the growth and modernisation of the agricultural sector.
A mechanised and modern agricultural sector is more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors.
Zimbabwe once held the reputation of being the breadbasket of southern Africa.
Revitalising this status requires substantial investment in infrastructure, technology, and capacity building.
Mechanisation provides a foundation for commercial viability, scalability, and export competitiveness.
The Belarus-Zimbabwe co-operation also encompasses dairy development.
The initiative supports the establishment of milk collection centres and the expansion of the dairy value chain.
With demand for dairy products on the rise, mechanisation in dairy farming can help improve milk quality, reduce production costs, and increase output which vital to our economy as milk is one of the primary products of many products.
Affordable and accessible milk is vital for nutritional security, especially for children.
Furthermore, mechanisation allows more farmers to participate in the dairy sector, enhancing competition and contributing to lower retail prices.
The growth of dairy processing industries also stimulates job creation and rural industrialisation.
Belarusian support extends to agro-processing, with plans to decentralise micro-processing plants in rural communities.
These facilities enable farmers to process raw produce into finished goods such as flour, oil, or dairy products.
Value addition is essential for increasing agricultural earnings, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing export competitiveness.
By processing raw materials into finished products locally, Zimbabwe can reduce its import bill and strengthen its trade balance.
This shift towards local processing also supports rural industrialisation, creating jobs and improving rural incomes.
As processed goods fetch higher market prices, farmers benefit from increased revenues, contributing to poverty reduction and economic inclusion.
By embracing sustainable mechanisation practices, Zimbabwe can achieve the objectives of NDS 1 and move closer to becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
The modernisation of agriculture, supported by strategic partnerships, is a key enabler of inclusive growth, employment creation, and national prosperity.
- Wayne Matyukira is an economic analyst. He writes here in his personal capacity and can be contacted on [email protected] or +263 77 695 4317.
