Online Reporter
Nyasha Simbisai
Agriculture Correspondent
RAINS being received countrywide are not only benefiting summer crops, but will also be essential for the winter cropping season, a senior Government official has said.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, said the heavy rains were critical in preparing for the upcoming winter programme.
He said national dam levels had risen significantly, with about 86 percent of water now captured, a development expected to boost wheat production.
“The water we are receiving now is good for the current season and equally important for the winter season that is coming, as we continue to see dam levels rising,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the Government was encouraging full utilisation of stored water for agricultural production, noting that about 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s dam water was located in Masvingo, a resource that should translate into a corresponding share of crop production.
Zimbabwe’s irrigation capacity has grown to around 221 000ha from about 175 000ha before 2020 and increased rains put the country on course to meet its target of increasing capacity to 496 000ha for food security.
“Irrigation development and water-use efficiency are key to strengthening food security at both provincial and national levels,” he said.
“Government is promoting water harvesting through both infrastructure and agronomic practices, including small earth dams, overnight storage dams and conservation farming methods.”
He highlighted Pfumvudza/Intwasa as a key climate-smart approach that enhances soil moisture infiltration and retention.
“When farmers adopt Pfumvudza, they are not only improving yields, but they are also harvesting water as it falls and ensuring it infiltrates the soil for the benefit of the crop,” he said.
He said adoption of Pfumvudza among communal farmers now exceeded 90 percent, with more than 500 000 hectares reportedly put under the system this season, figures that are still undergoing verification.
Prof Jiri said the programme’s success was being driven not only by the Government’s input support, but also by growing farmer ownership and innovation.
“Farmers are no longer just following instructions; they are improving the model,” he said
Prof Jiri cited examples from Zaka where farmers had organised themselves to procure inputs early and carry out land preparation and mulching well ahead of the season.
He said some larger-scale farmers were also adapting Pfumvudza principles to suit broader operations, demonstrating the scalability of the model.
Prof Jiri said the widespread adoption of climate-smart practices was helping to delink agricultural production from rainfall variability, positioning Zimbabwe for more resilient and sustainable food systems going forward.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is on course for a strong maize harvest this season following extensive planting and favourable rainfall patterns.
Crop assessment indications reveal that 1,8 million hectares were put under maize this season.
