A Massey Ferguson tractor refurbished by students attending the AGCO Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme at Moreton Morrell College in Warwickshire is set for work in the village of Tunguli, Morogoro in Tanzania.


The MF 265 tractor with the students and The Right Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester

The tractor gift project is being spearheaded by the Diocese of Worcester which has a friendship link with the Diocese of Morogoro. Also going to Africa will be a trailer and plough funded by the Mission Morogoro, which has supported the project.

Prior to being shipped to Tanzania, the MF 265 tractor was blessed at a special ceremony at Moreton Morrell College performed by The Right Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester. Also in attendance at the ceremony was Steve Wood, Chairman of the College Board of Governors.

"The fully-reconditioned tractor will make an enormous difference to the lives of people in Tunguli," said Bishop John. "We would like to thank AGCO, its student apprentices and the College for their help with this great project."


The tractor was blessed at a special ceremony

AGCO has been operating its Dealer Apprenticeship training scheme in partnership with Moreton Morrell College since 1999.

The Diocese of Worcester purchased the used MF 265 tractor in 2013. Over the last 18 months, AGCO student apprentices have been rebuilding the machine as part of their course work, transforming the 30-year-old model into a good-as-new tractor, ready for use.

"We were delighted to donate the major parts for the refurbishment and for our apprentices to test out their skills and knowledge in overhauling the tractor for this very worthy cause," comments Tony Linfield, AGCO Training Development Manager. "Many Massey Ferguson 200 Series tractors were shipped to Africa over the years and the brand is very much part of the agricultural landscape there with a strong infrastructure in place to support the machines in the field."


The Right Revered Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester talks to the students about the great achievement made with the MF 265

Moreton Morrell College's Tim Hutchinson, who has been responsible for supervising the project will be travelling to Tunguli village to present the tractor to the villagers and advise them on its maintenance. "During the refurbishment work, all three year-groups have been involved in the project - covering the fundamental tasks of service to diagnostic tasks and more complex overhaul procedures," Tim comments. "This has been carried out as part of the course work, with some apprentices volunteering and working extra hours to complete the jobs required."

The AGCO Apprentice Scheme is open to young agricultural engineers aiming to progress into positions within AGCO farm machinery dealerships across the UK. Course lengths range from 15 months to two years with 12-24 weeks' block release at Moreton Morrell College. On successfully completing the courses, students receive Work-Based Diplomas in Land Based Service Engineering.