malvernmugadzikwa
Debra Matabvu
THE distribution of Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs to farmers for the 2024/2025 summer cropping season will commence soon, amid indications that Zimbabwe will receive normal to above-normal rainfall associated with La Niña weather conditions.
The country will this week host the 29th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF 29), where predictions of this year’s rainfall patterns will be made.
To date, over 5 000 tonnes of summer crop inputs, which include maize, sunflower, sorghum, pearl millet, groundnuts, African peas and sugar beans, have been delivered to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots across the country.
Other inputs delivered include fertilisers, lime and pesticides.
Under the 2024/2025 summer crop plan presented to Cabinet recently, the Government targets to increase production of cereals by 340 percent this season, with 3,5 million households set to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme. The target is to have a minimum of 400 000 hectares under the Pfumvunza/Intwasa scheme.
A total of 12 427 plots have been prepared to date.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said delivery of inputs to GMB depots is ongoing.
“The distribution of Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs to GMB depots nationwide is now underway. Seed distribution to farmers, starting in September, will be aligned with agro-ecological regions to guarantee good yields and food distribution,” he said.
“We are expecting the La Niña this season and we await the SADC-SARCOF meeting . . . to give the official seasonal forecast position.”
The SARCOF meeting commences in Harare tomorrow and ends on Wednesday.
It is held biannually and plays an important role in identifying climate variability patterns for the season. It evaluates the past season and issues an outlook for the upcoming rainfall season.
The forum brings together stakeholders from sectors that include water, energy, food, agriculture, health and disaster risk reduction from the 16 SADC countries.
Deliberations will focus on implications and mitigation strategies for the upcoming rainfall season to develop an early warning advisory for the region.
According to the Meteorological Services Department, the La Niña was expected to start developing from June to September this year, with the weather phenomenon projected to extend to the rest of the months of the season.
La Niña-induced weather is usually associated with high rainfall and warm winters, the opposite of the El Niño, which normally comes with low rainfall and cold temperatures.
Zimbabwe, like most countries in Southern Africa, is facing severe drought due to the El Niño phenomenon experienced in the 2023/2024 summer season.
In a statement, the Zambezi River Authority, which manages water in the Zambezi on behalf of Zimbabwe and Zambia, also said La Niña weather conditions are likely this year.
“Although the El Niño phenomenon observed during the summer did not reach the level of a strong El Niño, there are indications of a transition of a La Niña. Historically, strong El Niños have been followed by two consecutive seasons of La Nina,” the statement reads in part.
At a recent post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the country is planning for improved cereal production in the coming season.
“The target is to increase production of cereals from about 750 000 metric tonnes produced during the 2023/2024 summer season to over 3,2 million metric tonnes. The area under cereals is also expected to increase from about 2,3 million hectares during the 2023/2024 summer season to 2,5 million hectares,” said Dr Muswere.
Online Reporter