Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has issued a stern warning to Agritex extension services officers regarding the equitable delivery of agricultural inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme, emphasising that no one and no place must be left behind in the ongoing exercise.
In his address at the Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly meeting held at the ruling party’s headquarters in Harare on Friday, the President directed the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to ensure that extension services officers maintain impartiality in the distribution of inputs.
“Tanzwa kuti kune vamwe vashandi veAgritex kuma tunhu varikunyima vanhu mbeu.
“Ministry ye Agriculture ngaigadzirise izvozvo. Mbeu yenyika ngaisvike kuruzhinji rweZimbabwe.”
“I reiterate that all inputs must reach our farmers and benefit all our communities,” he said.
The distribution of maize seed, fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme is already in full swing and the President said on its part, Government would continue to facilitate seamless distribution.
He rallied the ruling party’s membership and leadership, farmer organisations, Government Ministries and Departments to strengthen their co-operation and work in unity towards a successful summer cropping season.
“Investments in dam construction, irrigation development, as well as the establishment of green belts, through the expansion of land under irrigation, among other agriculture initiatives, remain ongoing,” he said.
As of last month, smallholder farmers had already prepared over 14 million Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots for the 2025/26 summer cropping season, showing strong adoption of the conservation agriculture model that has become central to Zimbabwe’s food security.
Smallholder farmers, who contribute up to 70 percent of the country’s food production, have been the primary focus of Government support over the past five years through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
This initiative has evolved from a drought- relief input scheme into a comprehensive farming method.
The roll-out of inputs will this year prioritise agro-ecological zoning, ensuring that crop varieties are matched to regional climatic conditions.
Maize will dominate in the wetter Regions 1 and 2, while sorghum and millet will be promoted in the drier Regions 4 and 5, as well as parts of Region 3, to strengthen drought resilience.
The Meteorological Services Department director has also informed farmers to expect normal to above-normal rainfall in the south and normal to below-normal rains in the north.
President Mnangagwa said the success, modernisation and industrialisation of the country, including the realisation of Vision 2030, lay in the full utilisation of the land and water resources.
“So far, our collective efforts are yielding fruit with the agriculture sector realising record-breaking harvests in strategic crops such as maize, wheat and tobacco.
“We must carry on being able to feed ourselves, at both household and national levels, as well as providing the necessary raw materials to our growing industrial sector.
“Kumaruwa kwatiri, ngatikurudzirane kuti tirime tizadze matura edu tive nemaguta, uyezve tishandure hupenyu weruzhinji,” said the President.
In respect to the economy, President Mnangagwa said measures implemented by Government to strengthen discipline in the economy and promote a stable currency continued bearing fruit.
“Let us, however, remain vigilant against those who may attempt to undermine our country’s progress, economy and national image,” said the President.
