Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
More than ten million plots have been prepared under the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme as the country scales up the implementation of conservation farming to ensure food security.
In Nyanga district, farmers are optimistic of a successful agriculture season after receiving inputs under the conservation farming support programme.
A villager told the ZBC News, “We had a problem of food insecurity before the introduction of the Pfumvudza programme. The integration of the Pfumvudza programme with Zunde Ramambo is helping to assist the vulnerable.”
Another said, “The Pfmvudza programme is pro poor as all the people including those without cattle can now produce enough food for themselves. We are now food secure as a village.We want to thank President Mnangagwa. As Ward 19, we have already recieved inputs. We are now waiting for top dressing.”
“We have recieve Pfumvudza inputs and we are ready to plant. Last year I produced a lot of maize despite being a drought year as a result of the Pfumvudza programme. I have enough food and this has motivated me to continue with the Pfumvudza programme,” explained another.
Chief Hata of Nyanga has already prepared ten Pfumvudza plots under the Zunde Ramambo programme as he leads from the front.
“We have ten plots here and I have planted small grains in seven of the prepared plots. This is a Zunde Ramambo project hence the community works here. The project is aimed at assisting the vulnerable in the community. I have encouraged villagers to venture into the Pfumvudza programme as it has transformed agricultural productivity in our community,” he said.
The local leadership is happy with the support from government that has seen the province exceed its Pfumvudza plots targets.
“We are excited with the support from President Mnangagwa under the Pfumvudza programme. Over and above the distribution of inputs, there establishment of business units at the chiefs homestead and a local school will promote rural development and ensure learners are provided with practical learning opportunities,” he noted.
“In Manicaland, the Pfumvudza is progressing well. We had a target of 451 600 families and I am happy that we now have 467 000 families who have prepared thier plots covering 87 000 hectares in the province. We are so happy that the Pfumvudza programme introduced by President Mnangagwa has recorded huge success,” Advocate Mugadza said.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, who was in Nyanga this Friday on an assessment tour of the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme, revealed that over ten million plots have been established against a target of 9.5 million plots.
Dr Masuka said distribution of inputs is continuing.
“At a national level, in terms of Pfumvudza we have done over ten million plots against a target of 9.5 million plots. We have started here in the east in terms of monitoring visits for this season and will be able to cover the whole country. We have seen that Chief Hata has done ten plots and this is leadership in the community. Germination has started and these plots have been done well. In terms of fertilisers, we now have 53 000 metric tonnes that is now being distributed throughout the country and we have over 80 percent maize seed is available, but we are running slightly behind in terms of traditional grains, but we will be able to catch up.”
Meanwhile, Hin Masuka has instructed his ministry to establish business units at Sedze Primary School and Chief Hatas homestead to promote rural industrialisation and ensure food security.
