Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Herald Reporter
OVER 10 000 tonnes of maize seed have so far been delivered to farmers nationwide as planting for the 2025-26 summer cropping season intensifies, with the Government assuring that input distribution will continue despite slow movement of fertiliser consignments.
The maize seed rollout is progressing alongside the distribution of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides under the climate-proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa Presidential Input Scheme, which is targeting 3,5 million smallholder farmers this season.
Seed for traditional grains — sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet — is also being dispatched in line with the Government’s agro-ecological tailoring strategy.
Most parts of the country have received substantial rainfall in recent weeks, matching projections by the Meteorological Services Department, although some areas in the far northwest are still awaiting meaningful rains.
Speaking after officiating at the Poultry Pass-On Scheme programme in Goromonzi on Wednesday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the rainfall had marked the “earnest start” of the summer season.
“The summer season has really started now in earnest.
“Most areas have received rains.
“Only the furthest parts of the northwest are still behind,” he said.
“We know the season will be short, but rainfall will be a lot over the coming weeks. We are encouraging farmers to plant early using short- to medium-season varieties. Traditional grains remain key because even if rains taper off early, farmers will still harvest.”
Prof Jiri said preparations under Pfumvudza/Intwasa were “progressing very well”, with more than 15 million plots already prepared.
