Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Writer
LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka has urged farmers to fully embrace the Intwasa/Pfumvudza model for improved productivity — not simply as a requirement for accessing inputs — as Government intensifies efforts to bolster national food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods.
Dr Masuka made the call on Friday during the national launch of the Intwasa/Pfumvudza programme and the Presidential Inputs Scheme at the homestead of Mr Patrick and Mrs Lita Dube in Kombo Village, Insiza District, Matabeleland South. Hundreds of villagers from Ward 22 and surrounding communities attended the event.
He was accompanied by Provincial Ministers of State and Devolution — Albert Nguluvhe (Matabeleland South), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Misheck Mugadza (Manicaland) — as well as Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu. Other provinces were represented by permanent secretaries and senior Government officials. Traditional leaders were also in attendance.
Dr Masuka said progress in land preparation showed that more farmers were embracing conservation agriculture.
“As of November 6, 2025, farmers nationwide had prepared more than 14 million plots — a 72 percent increase from last year’s 8,1 million plots. A total of 1,8 million households, representing 60 percent of the national target, have prepared enough land to cover 718 988 hectares,” he said.
He urged remaining farmers to complete their three mandatory plots to qualify for inputs.
“We do Intwasa not because we want inputs but because it is the right agricultural model under existential climate change threats. Intwasa/Pfumvudza and agro-ecological tailoring of crops and livestock should be practiced by every farmer in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Masuka.
Dr Masuka said the Government is targeting the planting of 2,6 million hectares of cereals in the 2025/26 season with an expected yield of 3,2 million tonnes — a million tonnes above the national annual consumption requirement of 2,2 million tonnes.
Zimbabwe is projected to become drier in the coming decades, he added, making climate-proofed farming a necessity rather than an option.
“We must climate-proof agriculture at the household level through Intwasa and agro-ecological tailoring, and at the national level through accelerated irrigation development and dam construction,” he said.
The minister described Intwasa as a “science-tested, fact-based, sustainable and climate-smart intensive conservation agriculture model” designed to build resilience against increasing climate shocks.
Under the Presidential Inputs Scheme, households will receive crop varieties and quantities aligned to their agro-ecological regions.
Farmers in Regions 1 and 2, which receive higher rainfall, will receive 10kg maize seed packs, while those in Region 3 will get 5kg.
In the drier Regions 4 and 5, households will receive 2kg of drought-tolerant small grains such as sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet.
All households will also receive basal fertiliser, top-dressing fertiliser and lime to boost soil health and productivity.
The goal is to ensure farmers plant climate-appropriate crops for maximum yields and long-term food self-sufficiency.
Host farmers Patrick and Lita Dube are among Insiza District’s Intwasa success stories. Since adopting the model two years ago, their harvests have significantly improved.
After the 2024/25 summer cropping season, they recorded 2 tonnes of maize, up from 0,5 tonnes, 0,65 tonnes of sorghum, up from 0,15 tonnes, 0,3 tonnes of pearl millet, up from 100kg, and 0,8 tonnes of groundnuts, up from 0,1 tonnes
In total, the family harvested 3,75 tonnes, an improvement attributed to climate-appropriate farming techniques and proper land preparation.
