Takawira Dapi
Herald Correspondent
HWEDZA farmers have praised President Mnangagwa’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme for strengthening household food security as the district launched the 2026/27 agricultural season yesterday amid forecasts of an El Niño-induced drought.
The launch was held yesterday at Pfende Village in Mubaiwa Ward at the homestead of lead farmer Mrs Gladys Ndlebe, whose Farmer Field School features eight demonstration plots showcasing climate-smart farming practices, including infiltration pits and mulching.
AFC Commercial Bank manager Mr Kufa Kufakunesu, representing Acting Provincial Agritex Director Mr Albert Tsimba, said the programme was designed to maximise yields from small plots through training, appropriate inputs and conservation farming techniques.
“Pfumvudza is similar to intensive farming. You have a small plot, but it is going to give you the output of a very large plot,” he said.
He said Government provided farmers with training, fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, while encouraging them to use locally available resources to improve productivity.
“Munhu wese ngaave nechekudya,” he said, emphasising the programme’s goal of ensuring every household produces enough food throughout the year despite climate change.
Mr Kufakunesu called on families to establish at least three Pfumvudza plots measuring 16 metres by 39 metres for maize, sorghum and millet.
He also encouraged farmers to prepare their fields early, dig planting holes and secure adequate manure before the rains.
“Let us not burn grass because grass is diamond. We are now using grass that others burn carelessly for mulching,” he said.
District Agricultural Business Advisory Officer Mrs Tetiwe Mupakwe said Hwedza’s target was for every household to establish three maize plots and an additional plot of small grains to strengthen food security.
She said Mrs Ndlebe’s demonstration plots would help farmers appreciate that good harvests were achievable through proper land preparation, mulching and moisture conservation.
Ward 6 Agricultural Business Advisory Officer Mr Movern Tapomwa thanked President Mnangagwa for the programme and appealed for timely distribution of inputs and increased allocations per household.
Village lead farmer, Mrs Lynah Chifamba, said Pfumvudza was helping her support her family and care for her sister’s orphaned children.
She said she began collecting grass for mulching in June, urging communities to protect veld grass instead of burning it.
Hwedza and Chikomba districts information officer Mr Takudzwa Rushizha said Hwedza lost 25 000 hectares to uncontrolled veld fires in 2025, underscoring the need to protect natural resources.
The launch was attended by Agritex, Grain Marketing Board, traditional leaders, lead farmers and villagers.
