Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZIMBABWE is positioning itself for a potentially record-breaking harvest as the Government mobilises 16 000 tractors to accelerate land preparation ahead of the 2025–2026 summer cropping season — a bold initiative under the national food security strategy.
This large-scale mechanisation drive, part of the country’s broader agricultural transformation agenda, is expected to ensure that vast tracts of land are tilled before the onset of the rains. This will enable farmers to plant on time and maximise yields.
According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), the rainy season is expected to start later than usual due to climate change, with rains anticipated in November. Rainfall is projected to increase to above-normal levels in December and January, before tapering off in March.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th African Plant Breeders Association Conference in Victoria Falls, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, confirmed that Cabinet has already approved the 2025–2026 summer cropping plan, which targets a cereal output 33 percent above the nation’s annual requirement — more than triple the standard policy target.
“Cabinet approved the 2025–2026 summer plan. We aim to ensure that we produce 33 percent above our annual cereal requirement, exceeding the 10 percent policy target,” he said.
Dr Masuka noted that the mobilisation of tractors complements the ongoing progress of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation agriculture programme, which remains a cornerstone of household food security.
“We aim to cultivate one million hectares under Pfumvudza/Intwasa, with 200 000 hectares dedicated to maize. We have already established over five million Pfumvudza plots, compared to 3,4 million last year. This demonstrates significant progress and ensures household food security,” he said.
The Second Republic continues to champion the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, which plays a pivotal role in enhancing food security through climate-smart agriculture and efficient land use. Zimbabwe is accelerating the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices, with the Government targeting 100 percent uptake of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa model to boost yields and ensure long-term sustainable food security.
Dr Masuka emphasised that this year’s agricultural strategy is based on agro-ecological tailoring, ensuring that each region cultivates crops suited to its specific rainfall and soil conditions.
“We are aligning crops to the agro-ecological zones — traditional grains in regions 3, 4, and 5 — while expanding maize and soya in high-rainfall areas,” he said.
To mitigate the effects of climate variability, the Government is also expanding the country’s irrigation capacity, which currently stands at 123 000 hectares. An additional 100 000 hectares are being developed for summer cereals under the National Irrigation Rehabilitation Programme.
“We are making steady progress and expect to have 275 000 hectares under irrigation soon. This must be complemented by additional land preparation, and for that, we have mobilised 16 000 tractors,” said Dr Masuka.
In tandem, the Government has commenced the distribution of seed and fertiliser to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots nationwide to ensure timely delivery under the Presidential Input Scheme.
“We are also mobilising inputs for the Presidential Input Scheme. In fact, we have already started moving the seed. Fertiliser is also being delivered to various GMB depots, and distribution should begin in the coming week,” the Minister said.
The mobilisation of tractors and early input distribution has been met with widespread optimism from farmers, buoyed by forecasts of normal to above-normal rainfall.
Zimbabwe Farmers union (ZFU) Secretary-General, Mr Paul Zakariya, said the positive climate outlook has reignited enthusiasm among producers.
“We are pleased with the favourable rainfall predictions. Farmers are already preparing their land and sourcing inputs. With 16 000 tractors available, land preparation will be in full swing,” he said.
Mr Zakariya also highlighted that Government support for mechanisation now extends beyond land preparation.
“Mechanisation now also includes combine harvesters for crops such as wheat and soya beans, which is crucial as we transition between seasons,” he said.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers union (ZCFU) Vice President, Mr Winston Babbage, confirmed that tractors are readily accessible from various suppliers, including the Land Bank and the Rural
Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA).
“The machinery is available, and farmers are already in the fields preparing under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme,” he said.
Climate-proofing the agricultural sector forms part of broader strategies, including the expansion of irrigation farming, aimed at shielding citizens from the growing threats of climate change-induced food insecurity and malnutrition.
Pfumvudza/Intwasa is a holistic farming model that shifts away from traditional rain-fed, large-scale ploughing to a more precise, intensive, and conservation-based approach.
The model has been widely credited with helping Zimbabwe avert food shortages during recent droughts and remains a cornerstone of the country’s national food security strategy.
The Government has segmented maize production targets across various programmes, including Pfumvudza/Intwasa, the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), the Food Crop Contractors Association, self-financed farmers, and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) scheme — collectively targeting a total of 1.8 million hectares.
Inputs, including fertiliser and seeds, are available under collateral management.
