Online Reporter
Nothando Zondo, @[email protected]
Farmers in Ward 6, Umzingwane District, have been urged to fully embrace the Government’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme as preparations begin for the 2026/27 summer cropping season.
The call was made during a Pfumvudza/Intwasa registration and farmer training exercise held at Mkhutshwa on Monday.
Households from six villages registered for the climate-smart agriculture programme aimed at improving food security in the face of erratic rainfall.
Agricultural extension officers and community leaders said it is now critical for farmers in Matabeleland South to adapt to new farming methods that respond to the effects of climate change.
The province continues to experience unpredictable rains, prolonged dry spells and heat waves that have affected crop production in recent years.
Agritex Supervisor Mrs Patricia Gumbo told farmers that Pfumvudza/Intwasa was designed to help households produce enough food even with limited land and water.
“Pfumvudza/Intwasa is a climate-smart farming approach that enables farmers to maximise production on small pieces of land. As rainfall becomes less predictable, we must adopt farming methods that conserve every drop of water,” she said.
Mrs Gumbo explained the key principles of the programme. She said farmers should prepare planting stations measuring 15 centimetres by 15 centimetres by 15 centimetres.
The official added that the small basins help to retain moisture while keeping manure and fertiliser close to the crop root zone for better uptake.
“Mulching is equally important because it conserves soil moisture and reduces evaporation during prolonged dry spells. Farmers should also practise precision planting by placing seed and inputs correctly in each planting station,” said Mrs Gumbo.
To further build resilience, she encouraged farmers to grow drought-tolerant traditional grains that are better suited to Matabeleland South.
“We encourage farmers to grow crops such as sorghum, millet, rapoko and cowpeas because they are better suited to our climatic conditions. These crops require less water, mature earlier and improve household food security,” added the official.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept was introduced by Government to help families achieve food self-sufficiency.
During the previous farming season, the programme made a significant impact both nationally and in Matabeleland South.
Thousands of households that adopted the practice reported better yields despite poor rainfall. In many parts of the province, Pfumvudza plots outperformed conventional fields because of improved moisture retention, proper spacing and timely input application.
Officials say the success of Pfumvudza in the last season has built confidence among farmers that climate-smart methods can work in dry regions.
The focus now is on scaling up adoption so that more families can withstand climate shocks and reduce dependence on food aid.
Ward 6 community representative Mr Gift Dube said the turnout at Mkhutshwa showed that farmers are ready to learn. Community leaders mobilised residents ahead of the programme.
“We were pleased with the response from the community. Farmers came eager to register and learn more about the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept. The exercise was well organised, peaceful, and everyone who attended was registered,” he said.
Mr Dube said the training gave farmers practical knowledge they can apply immediately. He expressed hope that Agritex officers will continue with follow-up training and field visits throughout the season to guide farmers.
“Our people now understand that we cannot continue farming the old way. Climate change is real, and it is affecting us. With Pfumvudza, we can still get good harvests from small plots if we follow the guidelines,” he said.
Government and extension workers say adaptation is no longer optional for Matabeleland South. With climate patterns becoming more extreme, techniques such as conservation agriculture, mulching, early planting of drought-tolerant crops and efficient use of inputs are essential for survival.
Farmers were also reminded to start land preparation early, source inputs on time, and work together in groups to share knowledge and resources.
As registration continues across Umzingwane, authorities say the goal is to ensure that no household is left behind. By fully embracing Pfumvudza/Intwasa, Ward 6 farmers are expected to improve yields, protect the soil, and secure food for their families even under difficult weather conditions.
