News / National
Zim War veterans receive tractors
26 Sep 2011 at 17:20hrs | Views
War veterans who have excelled in agriculture have received a shot in the arm after receiving 10 tractors and other farming implements under a US$1 million programme signed between Zimbabwe and Iran, ZBC News reported on Monday.
It was a hive activity at Motira Tractor Company as scores of war veterans thronged the premises in Willovale to witness the handover of the first batch of tractors to 10 beneficiaries of the programme.
Handing over the tractors and implements, Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa commended the partnership between the war veterans and the Iranian company and challenged the freedom fighters to put the equipment to good use so as to shame detractors of the land reform programme.
"Do not abuse these tractors, they should not be used for transport but they are for farming. So farm, farm and farm, so that you harvest, harvest and harvest, then you pay," said Mnangagwa.
Joseph Chinotimba and the Managing Director of the Iranian company, who are spearheading the project, said they will work together to ensure that the scheme becomes a success in equipping war veterans who have ventured into farming.
"We mobilised about US$1 million for acquisition of these tractors and this shows our commitment to making sure that farming becomes a success in Zimbabwe," said Chinotimba
One of the beneficiaries, Peter Pundo welcomed the project and pledged to increase productivity.
Under the programme, war veterans with collateral security will be guaranteed by a local bank which will pay 30% for the approved beneficiaries to receive the tractors and implements.
It was a hive activity at Motira Tractor Company as scores of war veterans thronged the premises in Willovale to witness the handover of the first batch of tractors to 10 beneficiaries of the programme.
Handing over the tractors and implements, Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa commended the partnership between the war veterans and the Iranian company and challenged the freedom fighters to put the equipment to good use so as to shame detractors of the land reform programme.
"Do not abuse these tractors, they should not be used for transport but they are for farming. So farm, farm and farm, so that you harvest, harvest and harvest, then you pay," said Mnangagwa.
Joseph Chinotimba and the Managing Director of the Iranian company, who are spearheading the project, said they will work together to ensure that the scheme becomes a success in equipping war veterans who have ventured into farming.
"We mobilised about US$1 million for acquisition of these tractors and this shows our commitment to making sure that farming becomes a success in Zimbabwe," said Chinotimba
One of the beneficiaries, Peter Pundo welcomed the project and pledged to increase productivity.
Under the programme, war veterans with collateral security will be guaranteed by a local bank which will pay 30% for the approved beneficiaries to receive the tractors and implements.
Source - ZBC News
