Nyasha Simbisai-Agriculture Correspondent
The Government has so far distributed more than 770 000 sweet potato vines this year as part of its preparations for the anticipated El Niño-induced drought during the 2026/27 agricultural season.
The national programme is targeting 1,5 million vines to expand production of the drought-tolerant crop.
The distribution is being implemented under the Agricultural Development Advisory Services (ADAS) framework, which includes accelerated climate-smart production among the six strategic pillars guiding the country’s agricultural preparedness and drought response.
According to the latest ADAS report, a cumulative 4 969 258 sweet potato vines were distributed nationwide between 2022 and 2026.
This year, a total of 772 200 vines have so far been distributed against an annual target of 1,5 million, representing 51 percent of the target. The programme has also prioritised the establishment of multiplication sites to facilitate the production and wider availability of the planting material.
Mashonaland West received the highest allocation of 150 000 vines during the year, followed by Manicaland, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East, which each received 130 000 vines.
Masvingo received 82 200 vines, while Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South each received 50 000 vines.
The distribution programme includes the establishment and strengthening of local multiplication sites, where planting material can be propagated for subsequent distribution to farmers.
Sweet potatoes form part of the country’s crop diversification programme, which seeks to broaden household food production beyond traditional cereal crops.
The crop is also included in agricultural production strategies targeting areas exposed to variable rainfall conditions.
The distribution initiative comes as the Government intensifies preparations for the 2026/27 summer cropping season amid forecasts of possible El Niño-related rainfall disruptions.
Under the ADAS framework, the Government is implementing a range of interventions covering drought-resilient crop production, agroecological tailoring of crops, soil health management, moisture conservation and irrigation development.
The interventions are being complemented by agricultural advisory services and early warning systems to guide farmers in their production decisions.
Meanwhile, the Government is targeting one million hectares under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme during the 2026/27 agricultural season, up from 713 000 hectares recorded in 2025.
The latest ADAS report shows that 857 259 hectares have already been prepared under the programme, while 475 446 farmers have collected mulch ahead of the summer cropping season.
Agricultural extension officers are expected to provide technical guidance on crop selection, sweet potato vine establishment, multiplication garden management and recommended production practices.
The extension network is also responsible for supporting farmers in implementing conservation agriculture principles, including minimum soil disturbance, mulching, crop rotation and moisture conservation.
The sweet potato vine distribution programme forms part of the Government’s broader agricultural diversification efforts, which also cover strategic grain reserves, climate-smart production, financing, imports, livestock drought mitigation, coordination and early warning support.
As preparations for the 2026/27 season continue, the distribution and multiplication of sweet potato planting material remain among the interventions being implemented to expand alternative crop production and strengthen household food supplies ahead of the anticipated El Niño conditions.
