by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lucas Liganga
MOROGORO, Tanzania, June 4 (Xinhua) -- In the rice fields of Tanzania's Morogoro Region, where green and gold stalks intertwine as harvest season approaches, farmers are gearing up with a renewed sense of confidence and readiness.
The air hums not with the clang of sickles, but with the low, steady buzz of machines being checked, cleaned, and fine-tuned. Among them stands a bright green combine harvester from Chinese firm Zoomlion, poised to roar into action.
Timothy Shuma, a 41-year-old rice farmer and father of two, walked around his machine, inspecting belts and blades with practiced hands. "We used to spend two days and hire many laborers to harvest just one acre (about 0.4 hectares)," he said. "Now, one machine can harvest one and a half acres in less than an hour. It has completely changed the way we farm."
Shuma, who has worked the land since childhood, told Xinhua that the transformation began in 2012 when Chinese-manufactured farm equipment entered the region. Among the game-changers was the Zoomlion line of tractors and harvesters, which brought not only speed and efficiency but also technical and training support.
"They didn't just sell us machines. They showed us how to use them," Shuma explained. "The technicians trained a few of us, and then we trained more farmers. It spread like wildfire. Today, even those farming 200 acres are no longer afraid of harvest deadlines."
Just a few kilometers away, farmer Kellena Londo is also making final preparations. His operator wipes dust off the machine's control panel while Londo inspects the grain discharge unit.
"This machine can handle up to 10 hectares a day," he said. "I've used others before, but this is my first time with Zoomlion. It's faster, more efficient, and the grain quality is noticeably better."
Zoomlion entered Africa in 2007 and set up a subsidiary in Tanzania in 2014, said Wang Shaohuai, head of the company's Tanzania branch.
Tanzania is one of its core markets across Africa, he said. With around 50 local staff and 10 Chinese employees, the company now reports annual sales of over 200 million yuan (around 27.8 million U.S. dollars) in Tanzania.
"We offer full-mechanization solutions for rice, maize, and wheat," said Wang. "Our equipment lineup includes tractors, balers, and harvesters. We've tailored the machinery to handle African heat and terrain. Ease of use is key, especially for first-time users."
So far, Zoomlion has sold over 3,000 tractors across Africa, according to Wang. In Tanzania, it is expanding fast. Service engineers are stationed in key farming zones, providing hands-on training and on-site support. Local spare parts centers offer 24-hour response times. By the end of 2024, Zoomlion plans to operate more than 40 service outlets in 25 countries, including Tanzania.
Back in Morogoro, Londo watched as his operator tightened the final bolt on the grain chute. "We trained him ourselves. The machine is easy to learn. Now we're fully ready for the harvest."
For farmers like Shuma, readiness is about more than machines. "Mechanization brought us hope," he said. "It gave us tools, knowledge, and the belief that farming can be better. We're ready now -- not just for the harvest, but for the future."
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