Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
Manicaland has surpassed its provincial maize target of 265 000 hectares after reaching 273 000 hectares with farmers and government optimistic of a successful agricultural season.
This comes after the province also surpassed the provincial Pfumvudza maize target of 84 000 hectares in the first week of January.
The feat was revealed by the minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka this Friday during his tour to assess the crops situation in Manicaland province where he was pleased with the crop situation.
“Here in Buhera we have seen what Pfumvudza/ Intwasa can do. There are 18 plots here and the farmer is sending at least of 7 tonnes per hectare to GMB which shows that even in a rural set up farming can be a business if Pfumvudza principles are followed. We have seen widespread rains and we are happy that Manicaland has surpassed its target for maize which was 265 000 hectares. The province has now done 273 000 hectares of maize, while other farmers have planted traditional grains. If this wet spell continues as predicted by the Meteorological Services Department, we will surely be on our way of assuring the nation of food security for the 2024-2025 season,” he said.
Mrs Tambudzai Nyangwaira of Gwini Village in Buhera, whose Pfumvudza plots were toured by Minister Masuka, is now optimistic of a successful agriculture season after she went out of her way to ensure her Pfumvudza plots survive the dry spell, while agronomist and ARDA board chairperson, Mr Ivan Craig commended her for following good agronomic best practices such as crop rotation.
“This is the fifth year since I embraced the Pfumvudza project. This year, I prepared 18 Pfumvudza plots but last year I had 12 plots and I was recording 7 tonnes per plot. This year, there was less rainfall and I would with drums to fetch water to irrigating my crops,” she said.
“We are experiencing good rains here in Buhera. We have seen a very good crop on our way here. We have noted that the host farmer here in Buhera has a good crop. She is doing crop rotation where she planted ground nuts, sweet potatoes and maize among other crops. This is important in improving the soil as well as spreading risk in the face of drought,” Mr Craig noted.
Before visiting Buhera, Minister Masuka visited a thriving farming venture in Makoni district belonging to Fungai Makoni who has entered into joint venture to plant 1 550 hectares of maize and other crops.
The agriculture Minister is convinced that revolutionary intervention by the President to give farmers tittle deeds will usher in a period of increased productivity due to increased investments driven by security of tenure.
