Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
MANICALAND Province has surpassed its Pfumvudza target of 84 000 hectares with a total provincial maize target of 265 000 hectares expected to be reached this week.
Farmers are optimistic of good season despite late rains.
Despite the false start to the rain season experienced last year and intermittent dry spells in some areas, the current wet spell has ignited hope among farmers in Mutasa district whose crops planted under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme are at different stages of growth.
“The Pfumvudza programme came as a great relief for me. I don’t have cattle and i used to be the last to plant in my village. Now I can dig up to 15 plots. We had a dry spell but due to the current rains we are looking forward to a good harvest. We are re- planting short season varieties in affected areas,” said one farmer.
“I have a good crop because of the Pfumvudza farming concept which allows the soil to keep moisture for a long time. I planted my last crop on 28 December and the current wet spell has ensured our crop become healthier. During the spell my field retained moisture for a long time because of the advantages of the pfumvudza concept. We are happy with the support from government,” added another.
Commercial farmers and agriculture experts are also optimistic about a successful agriculture season.
“We planted ten hectares of maize and we are expecting six to seven tonnes per hectare. We are supported by the government in terms of inputs. We also planted additional seven hectares of maize for sillage for our cattle,” commercial farmer Mr Admire Dziritwe said.
“We surpassed our targets in Mutasa because the government distributed inputs before the onset of the rain season. Our maize crop has different sizes. This is because of the concept of staggering to cushion farmers in case of a dry spell,” Mutasa District Agriculture Officer, Ms Bessy Christina Masvanhise said.
The government is happy with the progress being recorded so far.
“The meteorological department gave us information in terms of the rainfall patterns. On the 7th of January, we were at 87 percent to meet the provincial planting target of 265 000 hectares. People are still planting and we expect to surpass the provincial target this week.
“We urge farmers to plant ultra-short season varieties, beans, and small grains. Under the Pfumvudza programme, we were expected cover 84 000 hectares and we are now at 100 000 hectares,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
This season’s national Pfumvudza launch was done in Buhera.
