Zimbabwe and Belarus are deepening cooperation in agriculture and healthcare, with the two countries working on plans to modernise grain storage facilities and strengthen the supply of veterinary vaccines.
Belarusian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Yury Nikalaichyk, said the two countries were finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would provide a framework for implementing the planned projects, including the eventual establishment of a joint venture to manufacture veterinary medicines locally.
The ambassador made the remarks at State House in Harare, last Thursday, while responding to questions from the state media.
He said officials, companies and relevant authorities from both countries were working on the details of the MoU and an accompanying roadmap, which would guide cooperation from the initial supply of vaccines to local production.
“Indeed, we plan to enhance our cooperation in the agricultural sector in various spheres, including modernisation of grain storage facilities,” said Ambassador Nikalaichyk.
“We are elaborating on such a project now, including the supply of veterinary vaccines for Zimbabwe.”
He said the ultimate objective was to move beyond imports and establish local capacity to manufacture selected veterinary medicines through a joint venture between Zimbabwean and Belarusian companies.
“Now, companies from Belarus and Zimbabwe, together with relevant authorities, are working on the MoU and the roadmap, how to move forward, starting from supply to establishing a joint venture here for production of some veterinary medicines as a final goal of this cooperation,” he said.
The planned investment is expected to complement Zimbabwe’s efforts to strengthen food security by improving grain storage infrastructure while supporting livestock production through increased access to veterinary medicines and vaccines.
The cooperation comes as Zimbabwe and Belarus continue implementing agricultural mechanisation programmes aimed at addressing the country’s shortage of modern farming equipment.
The third phase of the Zimbabwe-Belarus Mechanisation Programme, valued at US$169 million, targets the supply of more than 3 000 high-tech tractors and 80 combine harvesters.
Ongoing consignments, including batches of 90 tractors, are being delivered to support crop production, including winter wheat, and improve agricultural productivity.
Ambassador Nikalaichyk said Belarus was also looking to deepen cooperation with young farmers through knowledge transfer and agricultural education.
“We continue to implement the third phase of the agricultural mechanisation facility programme. It goes on, we supply more machinery for Zimbabwe agriculture,” he said.
“We, as well, elaborate on cooperation with the Young Farmers Association and, of course, agricultural education.”
Beyond agriculture and healthcare, the two countries are also strengthening cooperation in mining, infrastructure, defence and media.
The ambassador said he was committed to ensuring the implementation of a MoU on media cooperation signed by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and its Belarusian counterpart during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State visit to Belarus in 2025.
The agreement provides for increased media collaboration, including exchanges of television crews, media delegations and interviews.
Ambassador Nikalaichyk said President Mnangagwa’s interview with Belarus National Television at State House last Thursday represented an important first step in implementing the agreement.
“One of my goals, as an ambassador, is to make this MoU be implemented. And today’s interview is a good first small step towards this cooperation,” he said.
The developments underline the growing strategic partnership between Harare and Minsk, with both countries seeking to translate high-level political relations into practical economic, agricultural, healthcare and media cooperation.
