Story by Providence Maraneli
STEADY rainfall coupled with the early distribution of agricultural inputs has lifted confidence among farmers in Matabeleland South, who are pressing ahead with planting in anticipation of a promising 2025/26 summer cropping season.
Across the province’s communal areas, activity has intensified as farmers take advantage of the wet spell, improved draught power availability and government support under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
Many farmers say the timely rollout of seed and fertiliser has enabled them to begin planting without delay.
“We got the seed and fertiliser on time and the rains are here, so we are working hard to be done with planting,” a farmer said.
“We are planting traditional grains so that we are prepared for any eventuality. We are so happy that the President has given us inputs, we are going to do well,” another added.
“It is good that our government remembers us every year. This year, we are promising to be food self-sufficient,” a farmer noted.
Since the launch of Pfumvudza/ Intwasa inputs distribution in Insiza early this month, government has distributed inputs in almost all villages in Matabeleland South Province.
“We are happy that the national launch was done here and the rains have been falling here in Matabeleland South province, and it made planting easy and our farmers are excited and we are expecting to surpass our targets,” Agritex Deputy Director, Mr Bhekilizwe Ncube said.
Zimbabwe has set a target to plant 1.8 million hectares of maize in the 2025/26 summer cropping season to bolster the country’s food security.
