Zim, Japan ink mechanisation deal
CLOUDINE MATOLA
Zimbabwe and Japan have signed a new mechanisation agreement under which Harare will receive a Japanese grant of approximately US$2.6m to finance the procurement of agricultural equipment aimed at boosting domestic rice output, Business Times can report.
The deal was formalised yesterday through the exchange of notes between the two governments, with Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube confirming that the facility falls under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme.
“Under this support, Zimbabwe is set to benefit from a grant of Japanese Yen 400m (approximately US$2.6m) for the procurement of agricultural equipment for rice production,” Professor Ncube said.
He said the intervention is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s agro-industrialisation drive by improving mechanisation and lifting productivity in a sector where most rural livelihoods depend on farming.
“As the majority of the rural population depend on agriculture, mechanisation is key to improving productivity and food security in the country,” he said.
Professor Ncube warned that rising global conflicts and climate change were increasingly threatening food systems, making investment in resilient production technologies urgent.
“The rising global conflicts and climate change negatively impact global food security, calling for the need to improve food production systems through research and investment in new technologies,” he said. “We need innovative solutions, leveraging research to improve food production.”
He said the support from Japan would help cushion Zimbabwe against climate and geopolitical shocks while deepening bilateral cooperation.
“The Government of Zimbabwe sincerely appreciates the timely intervention by the Government of Japan, as it will go a long way in advancing rice production technologies, thereby cushioning citizens from the negative impacts of climate shocks and geo-political developments,” Professor Ncube said.
Japan’s Ambassador Nobutaka Maekawa said the programme responds to Zimbabwe’s request for support under the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) initiative, which Japan has been promoting across the continent.
He said Japan had already supported rice research and production in Zimbabwe through technical cooperation, including the deployment of experts via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“With this project, we expect to create strong synergies with all other ongoing projects,” Maekawa said.
He noted that climate volatility, shifting dietary preferences and heavy reliance on imports were making local rice production increasingly urgent.
“Most of the rice domestically consumed is imported. Given these circumstances, increasing local production is becoming one of the most urgent priorities for improving national food security,” he said.
He added that the initiative aims to strengthen rural resilience and modernise the agriculture sector amid rising consumption of rice as a staple food.
Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Dr Anxious Masuka said the agreement supports Zimbabwe’s transition towards more predictable, climate-resilient agricultural systems.
“This agreement will enhance Zimbabwe’s production and productivity,” he said. “Zimbabwe is moving from a country that depends on weather for production and productivity to a more secure and perennial food security system based on climate-smart agriculture.”
He added that dietary patterns are shifting, with rice and potatoes increasingly becoming staple foods for a growing share of the population.
“Out of the 16 million Zimbabweans, about 15% now regard rice and potatoes as staple food,” Dr Masuka said.
