Bindura (Nehanda Guardian-New Ziana) – Government has availed 86 tractors to Mashonaland Central Province rural farmers for tillage for the 2019-20 farming season, a senior official has said.

Provincial Minister of State Monica Mavhunga made the announcement at Burira Village in Dotito Mt Darwin recently, saying this had been necessitated by the death of cattle in large numbers across the country since the beginning of the year.

In Mashonaland Central, 1 237 cattle deaths were reported, with the veterinary department saying some cases may have gone unreported.

Mt Darwin district has been the worst affected district followed by Mazowe, Bindura and Shamva.

Minister Mavhunga said the tractors, 16 from the District Development Fund and 70 from the department of Mechanization will at least plough 1875 hectares for 4750 households.

“No one will die of hunger this year or next year, the government led by President Emerson Mnangagwa is aware of farmers’ plight. It shall assist farmers with tillage services as well as seeds, it will also continue with its drought relief programme,” she said.

Besides providing tillage services, government is also distributing inputs free of charge to rural and communal farmers under the 2019/20 Presidential Well Wisher’s Input programme.

The inputs range from seeds, fertilizers and herbicides.

The District Development Fund will provide technical and supervisory support during the course of the programme.

Nehanda Guardian-New Ziana