Judith Phiri, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT is stepping up the distribution of farming inputs for the 2026/27 summer cropping season, with authorities targeting delivery to all wards by the end of this month ahead of a predicted strong El Niño event.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said maize seed and top-dressing fertiliser distribution was almost complete, while supplies of basal fertiliser, liquid lime and sorghum seed were being rolled out.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Ministry’s five-day strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo yesterday, Dr Masuka said the Government was intensifying distribution to meet its deadlines.
“Inputs distribution is well on course, about 100 percent maize and top dressing fertiliser, just under 30 percent of basal fertiliser and liquid lime we are beginning to get that and about 25 percent of the sorghum seed.
“We want every farmer to be able to use liquid lime. So the inputs have come through and we launched the national Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme in Masvingo last month,” he said.
He said provincial launches were now being conducted by Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, alongside the distribution exercise.
“We hope that by mid-month into the end of the month all the inputs will have been distributed at ward level,” he said.
The Minister said Government was also rolling out a six-pillar drought-mitigation strategy to cushion the country against the anticipated El Niño-induced dry spell, with a key target of building the Strategic Grain Reserve to 600 000 metric tonnes by August 2027.
Dr Masuka said the Meteorological Services Department had forecast a strong El Niño during the 2026/27 season, prompting Government to strengthen grain reserves at both national and household levels.
“At national level, we aim to have 600 000 metric tonnes by August 2027. We have 352 000 metric tonnes and as we complete wheat harvesting which is going on very well, we already have 106 000 metric tonnes of wheat harvested from 114 000 hectares.
“We think that we will close the year at 450 000 metric tonnes of grain. You will recall in 2024, we distributed 328 000 metric tonnes over 10 months to 6,5 million people. So, by the time we exit this year, we will actually have sufficient grain for social welfare purposes for about 6,5 million people including another five million learners,” he said.
Dr Masuka said climate-proofing agriculture also required farmers to grow crops suited to their respective agro-ecological regions.
He said farmers in Natural Regions III, IV and V were being encouraged to grow traditional grains because of their greater drought tolerance, while Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation farming techniques would help preserve soil moisture and improve production prospects during dry seasons.
The drought-mitigation strategy also includes measures to protect livestock, particularly in the Matabeleland provinces, where cattle are an important source of livelihoods.
“Livestock are very important especially in the Matabeleland provinces. Of the 5,7 million cattle in Zimbabwe, 2,299 million cattle based on 2024 have been identified as potentially at risk.
“Now, we are in the process of establishing what we call drought mitigation centres and we have 1 527 rural wards. We now have established drought mitigation centres in 751 wards and the balance is what we are chasing,” he said.
He said the centres would provide livestock with access to drinking water and feed, disease-control services and designated marketing facilities.
“At this ward centre, there will be a drinking and feeding place for livestock, a disease control place and more importantly a marketing place. We do not want any panic sales for livestock and we do not want the livestock to be sold at households in villages.
“We want this to be a structured market system that will take place on a designated day at a ward so farmers do not lose value for their livestock,” he said.
Dr Masuka said the strategy also covered coordination, capacity building, early warning systems and a new financing framework.
He said Government was considering insurance schemes for both crops and cattle, particularly for smallholder farmers, to help protect them against climate-related losses.
Cloud seeding is also expected to be activated this month to encourage rainfall formation and mitigate the threat of below-normal rainfall and dry spells.
