Two civil servants have taken a major step towards improving their farming operations after acquiring tractors from SARO Agro Industrial Limited through the Public Service Microfinance Company (PSMFC) during the 98th Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show.

The two beneficiaries, Joyce Mushiko from Choma and Clevious Magodi from Kalulushi, each acquired a TAFE 45 DI tractor through a financing arrangement made possible by the partnership between SARO and PSMFC.

The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is aimed at making agricultural mechanisation more accessible and affordable to civil servants by enabling them to acquire agricultural equipment through loans.

For farmers who have traditionally depended on manual labour or animal-drawn equipment, access to affordable tractor financing can make a significant difference, particularly during critical periods such as land preparation and planting.

From oxen to tractor-powered farming

For Mushiko, acquiring a tractor marks an important transition in her farming journey.

Mushiko, who acquired a TAFE 45 DI tractor, explained that she previously relied mainly on ox-drawn farming and would sometimes struggle to secure tractor-hire services for land preparation due to the high costs involved.

She believes that owning her own tractor will help her prepare her fields more efficiently and on time, ultimately leading to improved production and yields.

“This investment will help improve my land preparation and, hopefully, help me achieve a better yield,” Mushiko said.

She encouraged other civil servants who are involved in farming to consider taking advantage of the financing opportunity available through PSMFC.

Mushiko also highlighted the speed of the loan approval process, noting that her application was approved after only 14 days.

For farmers, particularly those working within strict agricultural seasons, such efficiency can be crucial. Delays in accessing machinery can result in missed planting windows, which can subsequently affect productivity.

Mechanisation to improve timeliness

For Magodi, the tractor is also expected to address challenges associated with relying on manual labour and ox-drawn farming.

Magodi explained that he previously had to hire oxen or rely on people to cultivate his fields manually. At times, this resulted in delays, which made it difficult for him to plant within the recommended planting window.

With his new TAFE 45 DI tractor, Magodi expects to have greater control over his farming schedule.

The tractor will allow him to undertake land preparation more efficiently and within the required timeframe, which will help him improve both timeliness and productivity.

Making mechanisation more accessible

The acquisition of the two tractors demonstrates how partnerships between financial institutions and agricultural equipment suppliers can help address a major barrier to mechanisation: access to affordable financing.

Through its MoU with PSMFC, SARO is supporting civil servants who wish to invest in agricultural machinery by providing access to equipment that can be financed through loans.

The arrangement provides an opportunity for civil servants to invest in productive agricultural assets without having to meet the full cost of the equipment upfront.

For farmers such as Mushiko and Magodi, the tractors represent more than just machinery. They are investments aimed at improving productivity, reducing dependence on traditional farming methods and enabling farmers to respond more effectively to the agricultural calendar.

Choosing the right equipment and supporting farmers beyond the sale

According to Francis Chanda, a Sales and Service Engineer at SARO Agro Industrial Limited, the company’s approach to mechanisation goes beyond simply selling machinery.

Chanda explained that farmers are increasingly inclined to acquire equipment from SARO because of the advice provided to help them identify machinery that best meets their specific farming needs.

He said SARO takes time to understand what the farmer intends to achieve before recommending the most suitable equipment.

“Farmers are more inclined to acquire equipment from SARO because we advise them on the best equipment to fulfil what they intend to do,” Chanda said.

He added that SARO’s reputation has been built over the years through the supply of quality and durable machinery, coupled with reliable after-sales services.

Chanda emphasised that the relationship with a customer does not end once the machinery has been delivered.

“SARO does not leave our customers when they need spares. We ensure that spare parts are readily available so that our customers can continue working without unnecessary interruptions.”

This after-sales support is particularly important for farmers whose operations depend on machinery during critical periods of the agricultural calendar. Downtime, caused by a lack of spare parts or technical support, can result in delays and additional costs.

SARO’s presence across the country also makes support more accessible. The company currently has 14 branches across Zambia, enabling farmers to access technical assistance, spare parts and other services closer to where they operate.

TAFE 45 DI: Built for agricultural operations

The TAFE 45 DI supplied by SARO is a 47-horsepower tractor designed for a range of agricultural applications. The model is available in both two-wheel-drive (2WD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) configurations, giving farmers options depending on their farming requirements and operating conditions.

With increased access to tractors such as the TAFE 45 DI, farmers can reduce their reliance on manual cultivation and animal-drawn farming while improving the speed and efficiency of land preparation and other farm operations.

The experiences of Mushiko and Magodi demonstrate the practical impact that accessible agricultural financing can have on farmers. By combining financing support from PSMFC with machinery supplied and supported by SARO, civil servants engaged in agriculture are gaining an opportunity to invest in mechanisation and strengthen their farming enterprises.

As Zambia continues to promote agricultural productivity and mechanisation, partnerships that make agricultural equipment more accessible to farmers will remain an important part of the drive towards more efficient and commercially oriented farming.

Visit the SARO website at www.sarozambia.com to learn more about the wide range of equipment they have available to suit your every farming need.