Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Writer
MIDLANDS Province is poised to surpass its Pfumvudza/Intwasa target of one million plots achieved during the 2024/25 summer cropping season, as farmers intensify land preparation ahead of the 2025/26 agricultural season.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, a climate-proof agricultural initiative, has been redesigned to suit Zimbabwe’s five distinct agro-ecological regions, taking into account varying soil types and rainfall patterns. The standard Pfumvudza plot measures 16 metres by 39 metres per household and is aimed at maximising productivity from small land areas, even under drought conditions.
Midlands provincial director for Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Services, Ms Busiso Mavankeni, said the province is targeting 1 079 244 plots this season, translating to more than 67 000 hectares under the climate-proof concept.
“We achieved over one million plots last season and now our current target is 1 079 244 plots. This target translates to over 67 000 hectares put under the climate-proof programme. Total number of households in the Midlands is 359 748,” she said.
Ms Mavankeni said as a nation, the goal is to achieve food security and self-sufficiency in food production, and eventually produce surplus for export.
“Initiatives like Pfumvudza/ Intwasa have been introduced to drive this agenda forward. Furthermore, women must play a leading role in ensuring the country’s food security,” she said.
Ms Mavankeni added that there is growing enthusiasm among farmers across the Midlands, who remain optimistic of a successful season despite climate uncertainties.
She said the distribution of key inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and seeds through Grain Marketing Board depots and traditional leaders in all eight districts of the province is already underway.
She said the inputs programme is now tailor-made to distribute inputs according to the agro-ecological regions.
At the national level, the Government has launched the 2025/26 Summer Cropping Season Plan, targeting the planting of 1,8 million hectares of maize under the Presidential Inputs Scheme and other support programmes.
An additional 516 000 hectares of sorghum and 280 000 hectares of traditional grains have also been earmarked for planting.
With weather experts forecasting rainfall patterns similar to last year, prospects for achieving national food self-sufficiency remain high, thanks to early preparations and continued farmer participation in Pfumvudza/Intwasa.
