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Dr Joseph Made

Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
A team of engineers from Brazil is in Zimbabwe to supervise the installation of irrigation equipment under the Brazil-Zimbabwe More Food Programme. The equipment was sourced under the $98 million loan facility secured from Brazil for smallholder farmers who benefited from the land reform programme.

The equipment has already been disbursed to the respective irrigation schemes countrywide.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made yesterday said the engineers were also going to conduct training to experienced engineers on the installation of the equipment.

“Our local engineers have been to Brazil on several occasions to check on the manufacturing, assembling and dismantling.

“They already have experience with the machinery but we believe in continuing to learn new things as the technology also continues to improve,” he said.

He said two to three Agritex officers would be dispatched at each irrigation scheme to assist farmers with crop husbandry practices to boost yields and income.

“I am pleased as Minister of Agriculture about the co-operation between Zimbabwe and Brazil which is benefiting small holder farmers.

“In Brazil, engineers are always on the ground assisting farmers and that is what should be happening. That is why there will be extension officers at each scheme,” he said.

A Brazilian irrigation company that manufactured the irrigation equipment, Irrigabras, has also contracted local irrigation companies and they will be working together on the ground to assist farmers.

Dr Made said soon there will be a signing of technical cooperation between Zimbabwe and Brazil relating to research.

He described Brazilians as leaders in several research areas in both crop and animal production.

This will set up a laboratory for testing all local, regional and international crop and animal foods and products.

“The physical structures are ready and soon we will be receiving equipment from Brazil. Several tests will be carried out especially on chemical residue on food items. This is very critical in revitalising the agriculture sector according to the 10-point plan.

The Brazil engineers representative, Eng Levy Lobato, said the irrigation equipment was user friendly and farmers will not have challenges operating them.

“The equipment is robust and lasts long. It is easy to operate and will enable farmers to boost their yields,” he said.