Story by Tamuka Charakupa
Mashonaland West Province has surpassed its Pfumvudza/Intwasa targets after planting 1.9 million plots, against a target of 1.6 million.
Mhondoro-Mubaira based Pfumvudza/Intwasa farmer Mrs Beata Chidyamari says food shortages are a thing of the past after successfully mastering the climate-proof farming method.
Over the years, she has been averaging at least one tonne per plot and has become a symbol of farming excellence in her community.
“Ever since I was introduced to Pfumvudza, I have never lacked food in my house. My gratitude goes to the government for ensuring that we receive inputs and fertilizers on time and of course our Agritex officers have been at our disposal,” she said.
“The fact that this programme has been hosted down here in this remote community testify to government’s commitment of leaving no one and no place behind. We are getting inspiration from this woman because she has defied odds that farming is only a men’s game,” said a farmer.
Mhondoro-Mubaira legislator Honourable Chamu Chiwanza spoke on the importance of embracing a wholistic approach to end food shortages in rural communities.
“The ball is in our hands as the community to ensure that we move inputs from GMB to where farmers are. We should not wait for government to do everything for us while running out of time.”
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka who is on a countrywide Pfumvudza/Intwasa assessment tour is impressed by progress made so far.
He said, “We had a target of 9.5 million plots but as of yesterday, we had recorded at least 10.5 million plots. Mashonaland West is equally doing well because it has surpassed its 1.6 million plots to 1.9 million as yet. What this means is that the Pfumvudza/Intwasa has been fully embraced in rural communities. We except the budget to avail sufficient resources to enable the ministry to fully discharge of its mandate. Currently, we have received 8.4 percent of the total fiscal which is below the Abuja and Maputo Declaration. Our expectation therefore is that the Legislature will appropriate sufficient funds to enable the ministry that anchors rural development.”
Government is implementing the Rural Development 8.0 Model with a view to ensure food security anchored on the Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming concept in rural communities.
