Key points
-
Belarus plans to ship more agricultural machinery to Zimbabwe.
-
The partnership aims to boost food security and rural development.
-
Belarusian support has had a transformative impact on Zimbabwe’s agriculture.
Belarus has committed to expanding its agricultural machinery supply to Zimbabwe. This follows the country’s continued support for Zimbabwe’s farming sector.
During a visit to Zimbabwe on Monday, Vice-Prime Minister Viktar Karankevich led a Belarusian delegation. The visit aimed to reaffirm Belarus’s dedication to supporting agricultural mechanisation and industrialisation initiatives.
It was part of the Mid-Term Review of the Joint Permanent Commission on Co-operation between the two countries.
Karankevich highlighted that Belarus sees the agricultural sector as a top priority. He noted the importance of expanding mechanisation projects to boost food security and rural development in Zimbabwe.
“We are particularly interested in expanding our support for mechanisation projects,” Karankevich said. He stressed that such projects would play a critical role in improving the country’s agricultural output.
Delegation’s tour and the significance of Belarusian support
The Belarusian delegation visited Bison Agro-Machinery, a local firm owned by the Belarusian government. The firm provides after-sale services to ensure sustained support and maintenance for the machinery.
Obert Jiri, the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development in Zimbabwe, acknowledged the significant impact of Belarusian agricultural assistance.
“The projects from Belarus have further scaled up the agricultural sector, which is a key enabler of our economy,” Jiri said.
He added that the interest in investing in machinery, including tractors, was particularly welcomed. He emphasized that this investment would improve productivity in Zimbabwe’s farming sector.
Strengthening cooperation for industrial growth
The visit is part of a broader effort to strengthen industrial cooperation between Belarus and Zimbabwe. Mangaliso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, expressed that increased cooperation with Belarus would contribute to enhanced industrial capacity, job creation, and skills transfer.
Belarus has already provided Zimbabwe with thousands of agricultural machines, such as tractors and combine harvesters. These machines are part of the Joint Agricultural Mechanisation Facility Programme, now in its third phase.
Zimbabwe’s collaboration with Belarus dates back to 2019, when President Emmerson Mnangagwa visited Belarus. Four years later, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited Zimbabwe to solidify the bond between the two nations.
Through various phases of the agricultural mechanisation programme, Belarus has contributed significantly to Zimbabwe’s agricultural development.
