Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE Midlands Province has started preparations for the 2026/2027 summer cropping season, with farmers in Chirumhanzu District already laying out Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots in a move officials said will build resilience against erratic rains and climate shocks.
Provincial Director for Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, Ms Busiso Olga Mavankeni, said the early start reflects Midlands’ commitment to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable use of natural resources.
“We are glad to note that many farmers in the province have started land preparations for the 2026/2027 summer cropping season, with those in Chirumhanzu District already laying out Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots,” she said.
“This move will build resilience against erratic rains and climate shocks.”
Ms Mavankeni said through timely land preparation, moisture conservation and strict agronomic practices, Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme has proved to be one of the most effective conservation agriculture approaches for improving household food security and boosting productivity even in difficult seasons.
“The province is championing the Pfumvudza/Intwasa four-plot model to deliver a balanced system for nutrition, income and soil health,” she said.
Farmers, Ms Mavankeni added, are setting aside a protein plot for sugar beans, soya beans, groundnuts and cowpeas to provide year-round nutrition while fixing nitrogen in the soil.
She added a starch plot focuses on staple crops such as maize, sorghum and millets to meet household energy needs, with traditional grains offering a climate-resilient option for drought-prone areas.
“An oil plot of sunflower provides cooking oil and a cash crop, while the by-product doubles as nutritious livestock feed. The fourth plot is planted with cover crops like sunhemp, velvet bean and dolichos lab to produce mulch, improve soil fertility, retain moisture and build organic matter for long-term productivity,” she explained.
Ms Mavankeni said with climate variability intensifying, farmers are urged to adopt Pfumvudza/Intwasa as a core resilience strategy.
“Conservation agriculture retains soil moisture, reduces erosion, improves soil structure and keeps crops performing during dry spells,” she said.
Ms Mavankeni said farmers with access to irrigation are being encouraged to plant early using irrigation water to establish crops before the rains, cutting production risks linked to late or erratic rainfall.
To ease the labour burden of basin preparation, she said the province is promoting mechanisation through tools such as soil augers that maintain conservation agriculture principles while improving efficiency.
“We are also pushing agro-ecological tailoring to match crops to specific environments, ensuring farmers plant varieties that perform best in their local conditions,” she said.
Ms Mavankeni said drought-tolerant traditional grains including sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet are being promoted alongside legumes such as cowpeas, groundnuts to improve nutrition, restore soil fertility and diversify incomes.
She called upon farmers, extension officers, traditional leaders and development partners to rally behind Pfumvudza/Intwasa implementation.
“The message is clear, prepare early, plant smart, conserve moisture, diversify crops and build resilience. With Chirumhanzu already leading the way, we are raring to go as momentum builds for the 2026/2027 summer season under the rallying cry: Pfumvudza/Intwasa: four plots for food abundance, nutrition, income and climate resilience,” she said.
