Tanzanian initiative boosts tractor sales for Indian manufacturer

India-based Escorts Group have sold more than 800 tractors in less than three years following the roll out of the Kilimo Kwanza initiative in Tanzania

A new programme in Tanzania has resulted in increased tractor sales. (Image source: dan)

The agriculture machinery manufacturer has sold Farmtrac and Powertrac tractors through its country’s representative Noble Motors, it revealed.

Noble Motors senior sales officer Peter Likecha said in Dar es Salaam that the orders for the two tractor models were growing.

"Most of our tractors now we are selling through a word of mouth travelling among farmers," said the sale executive at a show being held at Mwalimu Nyerere Fair Grounds in Dar es Salaam.

Due to power problems in remote areas, the manufacturer designed a tractor which features a 41-horse power Farmtrac 439 with an inverter that can hold up to 24 hours of electricity.

“The tractors are consuming merely three litres of diesel per one to plough one hectare and quarter... this plus low maintenance costs woos farmers to rely on the tractor," Likecha said.