HARARE, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabeon Wednesday commissioned 424 tractors imported from China at more than 25 million U.S. dollars to be used by tobacco contract farmers under agricultural concern, Farmers' World, New Ziana reported.

    The consignment also included disc harrows and planters, the news agency said.

    Farmers' World Managing Director Edward Raradza said the second phase of the project would see the company importing at least 1,000 more tractors and combine harvesters among other farming implements.

    The tractors will be on loan for a period of five years, under which part of the crop tobacco that will be harvested will be used to service the loan, he said. During the five-year period, servicing of all the tractors would be done at special points arranged by the company, he added.

    Raradza said the company would be working in conjunction with other institutions such as the Department of Agricultural Research and Extension Services and the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe to ensure farmers were supported and optimally use the equipment.

    Farmers' World patron, Vice President Joseph Msika, said he was pleased by the success of the project, adding more could be achieved through private sector and government partnership.

    As agriculture was the backbone of the economy, he said, there was need to ensure that maximum support was given to farmers to ensure increased productivity.

    Msika assured stakeholders that the tractors would benefit all deserving farmers.