Thorntown, Indiana … The second V-Tractor is being prepared for its trip to the southern region of Malawi from central Indiana. The first tractor, a one-of-a-kind farm tractor was developed for use on small farm plots and was sent to the central region of Malawi in mid-2006. Tests were conducted and the new tractor is a slighter larger, heavier more versatile unit. This new tractor will be tested on farms owned by Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira. Kadzamira served in the capacity of the First Hostess to former President Hastings Kamuzu Banda. In-as-much as President Banda never married Kadzamira carried out many of the functions for the Office of the President that were associated with a First Lady. She hosted state visits, traveled with the Presidential entourages around the world, and assisted in the health and well being of the President.
The V-Tractor handles plowing and cultivating farm fields. It can also handle equipment for distributing fertilizer, as well as pumping and transporting water, and has the ability to run a generator for electricity or to run power equipment.
Tom Rich, the owner of L. T. Rich Manufacturing Co of Lebanon, Indiana worked with the Malawi Project in a three-year program of research and development in order to design and manufacture the V-Tractor.
In the pictures at the bottom, from top to bottom; Tom Rich, inventor puts the V-Tractor through its paces; Dick Stephens and Shola Ajiboye of the African Center, and Tom Rich look over the tractor; Shola Ajiboye and Tom Rich discuss possible use of V-Tractor in African villages; Giant water transport tanks are clearly visibie.
