Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE distribution of inputs for the summer cropping season is currently underway across Zimbabwe, with farmers urged to plant crop varieties suited to their specific agro-ecological regions to achieve a coordinated bumper harvest.
In Bikita District, Masvingo Province, farmers, including schools operating under the School Business Unit model have finalised preparations for their Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots ahead of planting.
Their efforts have been boosted by timely support from Government, after thousands of farmers and several schools in the Marirangwe and Mutikizizi areas received inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
“We are happy to receive inputs today here in Zaka, our government for as been supporting us for years, and we are happy that our inputs include traditional grains and they have come on time. From here, we are going straight to our fields because we were given seed and fertilisers. Our extension officers are always ready to assist,” a farmer, Ms Martha Tererayi said.
“As a school, we are happy to receive the inputs under the presidential inputs scheme. We are part of the pfumvudza programme, and for the past years we have been harvesting a lot, hence being able to prepare meals for our children,” another farmer, Mr Mawere Patrick said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, gave an insight into the distribution process, which is in line with the country’s agro-ecological zones.
“Today we are in Bikita, and we are happy with the progress we are witnessing in terms of planting by our farmers under Pfumvudza. A lot of farmers have planted, and many more are planting, hence we encourage them to keep on planting. We are also talking to farmers to take advantage of their agro-ecological outlay to ensure they grow what is suitable for their areas. Inputs are moving across the country, and for seed, we have distributed enough. For traditional grains, we are finishing this week, and for fertilisers, by mid-December, we will be done. As a country, we are expecting a bumper harvest,” he said.
Agronomists have also challenged farmers in Masvingo to prioritise traditional grains and remain alert to the growing problem of fake seed being sold on the market.
“Because of climatic changes, we are encouraging farmers in Masvingo to focus on short-season or early-maturity varieties in areas where maize does well. However, for dry areas, we are encouraging many to focus on traditional grains. Again, there is a new challenge on the market of fake seed. We are saying to farmers, buy from reputable shops and avoid buying seed from the streets,” Mr Tichaona Maponga said.
More than 15 million Pfumvudza plots have been established across the country – exceeding the nearly 12 million planted last year, with the country expecting a bumper harvest in the wake of the predicted normal to above-normal rainfall this season.
