Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
HUNDREDS of communal farmers in Zaka District have received agricultural inputs under the government’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, as authorities intensify efforts to boost household food security and promote rural livelihoods ahead of the 2025/26 farming season.
The inputs, distributed under the Presidential Inputs Scheme, include maize seed, cotton seed, and fertilisers. Farmers across the district welcomed the initiative, saying it comes at an ideal time as most had already completed land preparation in line with Pfumvudza requirements.
Mr Stanford Musvini of Runoona Village under Chief Nhema said the programme had significantly transformed his family’s livelihood since he joined four years ago.
“Today is a great day for all farmers in this area. We are receiving grain inputs including fertilisers and this is great support from our government. As a family we have been doing pfumvudza for four years now. So far we have built our house, our children are going to school and we have started a poultry project hence we continue with the pfumvudza programme. This season, we prepared four fields, and we are looking forward to a bumber harvest,” he said.
Other farmers, including cotton growers, expressed gratitude to the government for ensuring timely distribution, saying it boosts their confidence of achieving a successful harvest this season.
“As a community, we are happy that the government has given us inputs in time. This programme has changed our lives for the better and many are now able to look after their families. Now that we have inputs, work has started for many of us, and this season, we are optimistic of a bumber harvest,” Headman Manokore said.
The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira, urged farmers to take advantage of the programme to improve their lives and warned against abusing the facility.
“Today we witnessed hundreds of farmers here in Zaka receiving inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme. We are encouraged that many of our communal farmers are ready for the season as they prepared their land on time as witnessed today. The coming of these inputs is a clear commitment from government to support farmers. We are saying take advantage of this programme to transform your lives and do not abuse this facility by selling inputs as the law will take its course,” he said.
The Meteorological Services Department has projected normal to above-normal rainfall for the 2025/26 farming season, raising hopes for another successful harvest.
The inputs support programme forms part of broader government efforts to promote rural transformation and achieve national food security.
