Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
MASHONALAND West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo officially launched the provincial rollout of the 2025/26 Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme in Mhondoro-Ngezi on Tuesday, urging communities to fully embrace the climate-proofed farming model as the province prepares for another unpredictable rainfall season.
Minister Chombo commended the community for fully integrating the conservation farming method into their culture.
However, she issued a stern warning against corruption and the resale of inputs, emphasising that distribution would be strictly conditional.
“Reports show that most households here no longer do Pfumvudza simply to get inputs; it has become part of their farming culture,” she said.
The minister added that only farmers who have prepared three plots with dug basins, gathered mulch for at least one plot and cleared two gallons of stover will qualify for seed and fertiliser.
The province is targeting a total cereal production of 688 288 tonnes from the season and the Minister emphasised the need for a transparent distribution process, directly warning against the diversion or resale of Government-supplied inputs.
Minister Chombo also criticised rampant veld fires, describing them as a direct threat to the Pfumvudza programme by destroying essential mulch.
She called on traditional leaders to help curb the fires and mobilise communities to gather grass.
The minister raised concerns over the “national crisis” of drug and substance abuse, urging communities to break their silence and report known peddlers.
