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Herald Correspondent
FARMERS in Mhondoro are confident of getting a decent harvest this season after adopting Pfumvudza/Intwasa principles on their farms.
As the country is reeling from the effects of an El-Nino-induced drought, most farmers countrywide have embraced the Intwasa programme being championed by the Government to increase crop production in dry regions.
To promote the adoption of various Intwasa programmes within Mhondoro District, Agritex officers came up with an annual competition dubbed Pfumvudza Field Day Show where farmers compete for the best Pfumvudza Farmer of the Year.
Mhondoro farmer and businessman Mr Johnson Chipayi who was the guest of honor at this year’s Pfumvudza Show in Mhondoro recently applauded Government for introducing the programme to rural Mhondoro.
“I would like to thank the Government for bringing the Pfumvudza programme to rural Mhondoro because our crops are thriving when all others are wilting due to the prolonged dry spell.
“As farmers, we should also complement Government’s efforts and embrace these programmes to eliminate hunger in our communities and ensure food security,” said Mr Chipayi.
Host farmer and winner of the Pfumvudza Show Mrs Faith Panganai was confident that she would have a decent harvest.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Government for empowering me as a woman in agriculture. I can say that through the help and knowledge acquired from our Agritex officers in Mhondoro, I was able to employ all the water conservation techniques and now, I am sure I will have a decent harvest,” said Mrs Panganai.
She said mulching and ridging her different plots helped in protecting moisture in her plots.
“The ridges that I put in my plots played a bigger role in saving moisture when the country was having a dry spell. Pot holing and mulching also worked to my advantage. For now, I can safely say my yield is fair.”
Agritex extension officer for Ward 3A Mr Freddy Antonio implored farmers to plant different Pfumvudza crops and improved varieties that are drought tolerant.
“Farmers should embrace this Pfumvudza aspect so that we can intensify production in Mhondoro. I urge farmers to employ all water conservation techniques that include potholing, tied ridging and mulching.
“Our host farmer Mrs Panganai, planted maize in well-mulched plots, sweet potatoes, with improved varieties of Chingovha and Germany 1. These have an improved yield as well, farmers should embrace these principles and we can eliminate hunger,” Mr Antonio said.
Online Reporter