Farmer of the year’s tractor delivered

Business
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) has handed over a tractor to this year’s winner of the Farmer of the Year Award

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) has handed over a tractor to this year’s winner of the Farmer of the Year Award.

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

Maengeni Bingadade, a small farmer from Mutare, received JX75T the 2WD tractor donated by Case IH’s local dealer Southern Region Trading Co (SRTC) recently.

From left to right: Hon. Minister Mandi M.Chimene handing tractor keys to Mrs Maengeni Bingadhade with Mr Kasere, General Manager of SRTC
From left to right: Hon. Minister Mandi M.Chimene handing tractor keys to Mrs Maengeni Bingadhade with Mr Kasere, General Manager of SRTC

The farm was shortlisted by the jury in recognition of the quality of their produce presented at this year’s edition of the Harare Agricultural Show and how it was displayed.

The farm’s well-managed homestead and fields, diversified through horticulture, crops and livestock, earned the first prize.

The official award ceremony was held on the Case IH stand at the Harare Agricultural Show, when guest of honour and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi made the symbolic handover of the keys to Bingandade beside the Case IH JX75T August.

Hon. Minister Mandi M.Chimene handing over the tractor to Mrs Maengeni Bingadhade and her team
Hon. Minister Mandi M.Chimene handing over the tractor to Mrs Maengeni Bingadhade and her team

The first prize JX75T two-wheel-drive tractor was delivered to Bingandade’s farm on November 20 by Case IH distributor Southern Region Trading Company.

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The handover was preceded by a tour of the residential plot led by the ZAS judges and Arex officials, who explained the reasons for their choice of Bingandade as the winner.

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Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene lauded the sponsors for donating a tractor to a small farmer.

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“By sponsoring an award like Farmer of the Year we aim to raise awareness of the possibilities that mechanisation offers to increase a farm’s productivity and efficiency, benefiting its bottom line,” explained Jason Smith of Southern Region Trading Company.

“The JX75T is perfect for a small farmer like Mrs Bingandade, who needs a totally reliable tractor that delivers a high performance in a variety of applications, from soil preparation and operating implements to pulling trailers and transport.”

 

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Bingandade farms three hectares with diversified crops that include butternut, water melon, beans and maize, and raises cows, goats and chickens.

“Our biggest challenges on the farm are the limited inputs, access to water and the small size of the plot of land,” explained Bingandade. “We farm with a plough and cultivator, so the Case IH tractor will make a big difference to us: we will be able to spend less time in the field and increase the hectares we are farming. To be awarded was a huge honour, and it gave me motivation to strive for greater heights, to work harder.”