Story Mercy Bofu-Matinha
MASVINGO Province has surpassed its one million Pfumvudza/Intwasa plot target, with more than 1.7 million plots now established under the government’s flagship rural development programme. The achievement underscores the continued adoption of the scheme by communal farmers, contributing to enhanced food security and livelihoods across the province.
This season, Mr Massah and his family prepared six plots, up from four last year, a clear indication of how communal farmers in the province continue to embrace the concept.
“I adopted the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept in 2023 with only three plots and harvested 13 bags of maize. My produce continued to increase, and our lives transformed for the better. Since then, we have been increasing our number of plots, and this year we prepared six. We are happy that the government has given us inputs in time, we are anticipating a bumper harvest,” he said.
Other farmers, including traditional leaders, applauded the Pfumvudza concept for uplifting rural communities.
“As farmers, we thank the government for supporting us. Pfumvudza has transformed rural communities, and this year our inputs came on time. With the Met Department predicting normal to above-normal rainfall, we are expecting another bumper harvest,” said a farmer.
The government is pleased the programme continues to transform livelihoods, hence the province’s adoption rate now stands at nearly 60 percent.
“Today, we are launching the provincial distribution of inputs from the government. This is a great milestone as our government continues to support communal farmers. Over the past years, we have seen improved livelihoods because of this programme, and we continue to urge farmers to take advantage of it to further uplift themselves,” Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme remains a key pillar of the country’s agricultural strategy and forms part of the broader Rural Development 8.0 Model.
