Story by Providence Maraneli
PREPARATIONS for the 2025/26 summer cropping season are in full swing in Matabeleland South province, with farmers anticipating a good season.
Gogo Patricia Ncube of Irisvale in Umzingwane, Matabeleland South Province, has prepared five plots and put mulch under the Pfumvudza /Intwasa programme.
She is among thousands of farmers in the province who are now dependent on the smart climate-proof agriculture for their well-being.
“I have already done my plots. I started digging long back and for the past seven years, I have been harvesting well, so I will continue doing it. I am looking forward to a good season,” she said.
The province is targeting more than 500 000 plots under the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme, amid indications that the province has already done 200 000, which translates to 12 000 hectares.
“We are happy with the progress so far in our summer cropping season. We have done 200 000 plots and we are moving at the speed we want to surpass 500 thousand. Our message to the farmers is to upscale preparations because we are anticipating rains starting in November,” Provincial Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mrs Shupikai Sibanda stated.
The Meteorological Services Department has predicted that the country will receive normal and above normal rainfall this season.
