Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
ZIMBABWE’s agricultural sector is shifting gears from winter harvests to land preparation, as government sets its sights on expanding maize hectarage in Mashonaland Central Province to strengthen national food security.
Authorities have earmarked 270 000 hectares of maize for planting in the province during the forthcoming 2025/26 summer cropping season. Farmers across Mazowe District, one of the country’s prime agricultural greenbelts, are already hard at work preparing their fields.
“I am a wheat and tobacco farmer. Right now, I have 10 hectares that I will be harvesting soon. I also have a seedbed of tobacco, so I am getting ready for the summer season.
“I am a farmer at Zanadu, and I can safely say I am ready.
“We are ready for summer crop, and we are here to hear what stakeholders have lined up for us this season,” farmers said.
The government has set the target for Mashonaland Central Province to ensure farmers, utility service providers and input suppliers are on the same page.
“Preparations should be done, pfumvudza is coming, you are the farmers, let’s not only talk, but walk the talk. Food security is a serious issue, and we want to feed the nation. It’s in Mazowe where the title deeds programme was launched, as well as production booster kits. We should buttress these programmes,” Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable. Christopher Magomo said.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has pledged ready availability of inputs, with private entities echoing the same sentiments.
“We have a target of 100 000 hectares in this province, with 25 000 being maize and sorghum. We promise you our inputs are available. Farmers can now register online,” ARDA Provincial Agronomist Commercial Operations, Farai Ziwera said.
“We are here for this pre-planting seminar to prepare for the summer cropping season. As AgriSeeds, we are ready for the season,” Agriseeds Provincial Sales Agronomist, Winmore Machaka said.
The Meteorological Services Department predicted the 2025/26 summer season will be characterised by normal rains, with the department committing to giving 10-day forecasts.
Agro-ecological tailoring will continue to be encouraged to complement the climate-proof Pfumvudza Intwasa Programme.
