University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center Upgrades Fleet with New Tractors

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) — The University of Arizona's Yuma Agricultural Center is modernizing its operations with the addition of two new tractors, marking the first major equipment upgrade at the facility in more than two decades.

The new tractors will support research projects and daily farm operations at the center's agricultural sites in Yuma County. Officials say the investment will help improve efficiency while supporting students, researchers, and the region's agricultural industry.

The Yuma Agricultural Center is part of the University of Arizona's statewide agricultural experiment station network and serves as a hub for research on crop production, irrigation efficiency, pest management, and other agricultural practices important to the desert Southwest.

According to Dr. Samuel Discua Duarte, director of the Yuma Agricultural Center, the new equipment comes after years of relying on aging machinery.

"We've been struggling with our equipment," Duarte said. "It's been over 20 years since we bought new tractors for the farm, so this definitely is a big boost to our operations."

For years, the center primarily relied on surplus equipment that required frequent maintenance and repairs. Officials say the new tractors will help crews stay on schedule with field preparation, planting, and research activities.

The equipment will be used across the center's research farms and is expected to improve productivity while reducing downtime caused by mechanical issues.

Beyond supporting agricultural research, the center also provides hands-on learning opportunities for students preparing for careers in agriculture. University leaders say the upgraded equipment will help ensure students gain experience with modern farming technology while contributing to research that benefits local growers.

Officials say the new tractors represent an important investment in the future of agriculture in Yuma County and will help the center continue serving as a valuable resource for the farming community.