Brazil to avail 2nd phase of agricultural equipment

Brazil to avail 2nd phase of agricultural equipment
Published: 03 August 2017
Zimbabwe has engaged Brazil to release the second batch of agricultural equipment under the South American country's More Food for Africa Program, an envoy said on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe received the first batch of equipment worth $38,6 million in 2015 that included tractors, fertilizer spreaders and irrigation kits.

The first batch mainly targeted smallholder farmers who benefited from the land reform program.

Two more batches of equipment will be availed under a $98 million loan facility which will be re-paid over 15 years at an interest of 2 percent per annum.

In an interview after presenting her credentials to President Robert Mugabe at State House, Brazilian ambassador Ana Maria Maria Pinto Morales said negotiations for the release of the equipment were advanced.

"Anytime soon it (the equipment) is coming, we are working on that. This exact moment there is a delegation from Zimbabwe in Brazil working on that. We are going to implement the second phase very soon," she said.

Ambassador Morales said Brazil was eager to spread cooperation with Zimbabwe in other areas besides agriculture.

"Agriculture is the area we have been cooperating in so far but we are open to cooperating in all areas the Government of Zimbabwe decides."

"I am very happy to be back in this country where there is abundance of human and natural resources. You can develop this country I am here to promote cooperate between our two countries to ensure that you achieve this development," she added.

The equipment would greatly aid the implementation of the Command Agriculture scheme that the Government initiated in the past farming season.

The scheme, which coincided with good rains, was introduced to address perennial food shortages.
- New Ziana
Tags: Brazil,

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