Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
THE distribution of seed, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Programme has begun ahead of the 2025/2026 summer cropping season, with more than three million rural households set to benefit from the scheme.
Farmers have since been assured that the country has adequate seed and fertiliser stocks.
Distribution will be managed at ward level by committees chaired by councillors and supported by chiefs and agricultural extension officers. Priority is being given to farmers who delivered at least 10kg of grain to the Grain Marketing Board last season, in line with the Government’s requirement, as a gesture of appreciation for the free inputs they received.
This year’s roll-out places greater emphasis on agro-ecological tailoring, a strategy that aligns crop varieties with specific farming regions to maximise yields.
In practice, this means maize will dominate in the wetter Regions I and II, although farmers there are also being encouraged to adopt traditional grains.
In the drier Regions IV and V, and parts of Region III, the focus will be on traditional grains such as sorghum and millet, which are more drought tolerant.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the summer cropping programme was already in full swing.
“We do have all the seed in the country, and fertiliser stocks are available,” he said.
“Distribution is being handled at ward level by committees chaired by local councillors, working with chiefs, schools and extension officers to guarantee transparency. In Regions IV and V, and parts of Region III, we are pushing traditional grains like sorghum and millet. In Regions I and II, maize will dominate, but farmers are encouraged to also consider small grains because they perform well.”
The Government has set an ambitious target of producing 3,2 million tonnes of cereals this season, comprising 2,52 million tonnes of maize and 687 000 tonnes of traditional grains.
If achieved, this would surpass national food and feed requirements by 33 percent.
Prof Jiri said the inputs distribution programme would be anchored in four distinct but complementary support arrangements that cater to different categories of farmers.
“First is Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which will support three million rural households. This year, there won’t be support to peri-urban farmers; it is strictly for the three million rural beneficiaries,” he said.
“Second, we have NEAPS (National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme), the command element, which is run through CBZ, AFC, NMB and other banks. That programme supports our larger producers with working capital. Third is the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA). These are our private sector contractors who work directly with farmers to finance production, and this model has proved very effective in recent seasons.”
The fourth is the ARDA joint venture programme, which is targeting production of 500 000 tonnes of summer grains from 100 000 hectares, along with 300 000 tonnes of winter crops from 60 000 hectares.
The launch of the programme comes as the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) projects normal to above-normal rainfall for much of southern Zimbabwe, while northern regions are likely to experience normal to below-normal rains.
Forecasts show the country is heading into a neutral season, with no El Niño or La Niña conditions expected.
“The season will be better than last year, with forecasts showing normal to above-normal rains. Our summer programme is now being rolled out, and we want every farmer to be ready,” said Prof Jiri.
MSD director Ms Rebecca Manzou cautioned that while overall prospects were favourable, the onset of the rainy season may be delayed.
“It is a neutral year. Farmers should expect rainfall that is normal to above-normal in the south and normal to below-normal in the north. However, the onset will likely be delayed by up to a month in some areas, with rainfall distribution remaining erratic,” she said.
Bongani Ndlovu