Story by Courage Bushe
A 96-year-old farmer from Zvishavane has emerged as a leading example of the successful adoption of climate-smart agriculture, highlighting the impact of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme in building resilience against climate change.
Gogo Celia Siziba, of Dhiro village, has embraced conservation farming techniques under the Government-led initiative and is now expecting a bumper harvest, demonstrating that age is no barrier to innovation in agriculture.
Under the programme, Gogo Siziba has established six Pfumvudza plots, equivalent to six hectares, and anticipates yields of at least five tonnes per hectare. The projected output is expected to significantly improve household food security while generating surplus income.
Speaking on her experience, Gogo Siziba attributed her success to training and ongoing support from Agricultural Extension (Agritex) officers.
“Through the dedicated support and extensive training from Agritex officers, I have managed to perfect the art of conservation agriculture techniques,” she said.
Her success has attracted attention from fellow farmers in the Zvishavane District, many of whom have visited her fields to learn practical lessons on climate-resilient farming.
“We have come here to learn from her. This concept has proven to be a game changer in the face of climate change, and we fully support it,” one local farmer said.
Another farmer acknowledged that while Pfumvudza was initially viewed as labour-intensive, its results had convinced many to adopt the model.
Agritex Officer Ellinah Makusha said the programme was central to strengthening national food security and building resilience against climate shocks.
“As a country, we need to produce enough food for domestic consumption and eventually generate surplus for export. This is why Government introduced programmes such as Pfumvudza and Command Agriculture,” she said, adding that women’s participation remained critical to agricultural transformation.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, introduced under the Second Republic, continues to gain traction across the province as farmers increasingly adopt climate-smart practices to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve productivity.
