Online Reporter
Precious Manomano and Theseus Shambare
ZIMBABWE’S 2025-6 summer cropping season is off to a strong start, with farmers having planted over 22 000 hectares of maize — more than triple the area cultivated at the same time last year, setting the stage for a potentially bumper harvest and enhanced national food security.
This planting momentum, reported in the latest Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) update, reflects a coordinated national effort driven by favourable weather forecasts, robust Government support and heightened private sector participation.
Authorities attribute the rapid start to a combination of factors, including the timely distribution of inputs under the Presidential Input Support Programme, which aims to assist three million farmers.
As the heavy rains pounded most of the country yesterday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka urged farmers to plant, stressing that the season has started in earnest.
Minister Masuka said the outlook was projected to be better this season compared to the previous one, with good rains currently being received across the country.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka urged farmers to plant, stressing that the season has started in earnest.
He said this in an interview on the sidelines of the ministry’s strategic planning and review workshop, which started in Bulawayo yesterday.
“I urge all farmers to plant as quickly as possible. The Presidential Inputs are being moved, and we expect that by the close of this week, at least 50 percent of all the basal fertiliser and the seed required will be out in the communities. And again, distribution will be by the ward committees,” Dr Masuka said.
The minister said the outlook was projected to be better this season compared to the previous one.
He urged farmers to adhere to the tenets of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa system, a sustainable intensive conservation agriculture model.
Dr Masuka said the programme had gone beyond a proof-of-concept to a science and fact-based way of farming.
“This must be complemented by agroecological tailoring. What is grown by the farmer must be determined by the exigencies of that particular agro-ecological region,” he said.
“So, we will be distributing seed according to agro-ecological zones, with traditional grains going to regions three, four, and five, and we will prioritise maize for regions one, two, and three.
“We plan to produce 3,2 million tonnes of cereals, up from 2,9 million tonnes of cereals from the same hectare range of 2,6 million hectares.”
Indications are that many farmers across the country began planting last week.
“I urge all farmers to plant as quickly as possible. The Presidential Inputs are being moved, and we expect that by the close of this week, at least 50 percent of all the basal fertiliser and the seed required will be out in the communities. And again, distribution will be by the ward committees,” Dr Masuka said.
Their efforts have been bolstered by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), which, in conjunction with the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), forecast heavy rainfall exceeding 80mm for much of the country, including Matabeleland North and South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces.
The MSD warned that the heavy rainfall, resulting from a thick cloud system from Botswana converging with cool, moist air from the southeast, “may lead to flash floods in flood-prone zones”.
This promising weather aligns with the latest ARDAS data, which shows a dramatic increase from the 6 944 hectares of maize planted by November 12 last season.
Planting of traditional grains is also gaining traction, with hundreds of hectares of sorghum, pearl millet and soybean already in the ground.
The rapid progress is underpinned by robust Government support through schemes such as the Presidential Input Support Programme, which aims to assist three million farmers.
Currently, distributing of agricultural inputs, under the scheme, is ongoing across the country. This support has contributed to a record level of preparedness, with farmers having prepared 15.3 million Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots.
“We have started planting and inputs are reaching farmers. We are urging farmers to start planting,” said Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri, emphasising the need to capitalise on the effective rainfall.
With favourable weather forecasts, coordinated input distribution and demonstrated farmer readiness, the 2025/26 summer cropping season is shaping up to be one of the most promising in recent years.
The confidence among farmers is buoyed by the MSD’s prediction of normal to above-normal rainfall and this optimism is mirrored in the tobacco sector, where the transplanted area has surged to 29 104 hectares from 22 392 hectares last season.
ARDAS chief director Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi confirmed the positive trajectory.
Across the provinces, planting activity is intensifying. Mashonaland East leads the maize planting drive with 8 561 hectares, followed by Manicaland at 4 799 hectares.
“We have started planting and inputs are reaching farmers. As of this morning, we are around 38 percent planted for maize nationwide . . . Everything is pointing towards a better season than last year — the signs are very positive.”
She attributed part of the success to farmers “fully embracing agro-ecological matching”, particularly in drier regions where drought-tolerant traditional grains are being prioritised.
Supporting the planting drive, national dam levels are at a healthy 73.1 percent, ensuring adequate water for irrigation, while 16 350 functional tractors have been deployed to accelerate land preparation. Private contractors have also committed 85 554 hectares under various funding models.
Across the provinces, planting activity is intensifying. Mashonaland East leads the maize planting drive with 8 561 hectares, followed by Manicaland at 4 799 hectares.
The southern provinces are showing strong adoption of climate-resilient crops, with Matabeleland South planting 165 hectares of sorghum and 96 hectares of pearl millet.
“United we stand. Farmers, Government and the private sector are all moving together — and the results are already showing on the ground,” Mrs Magwenzi added, capturing the collaborative spirit fuelling the season’s promising start. With inputs flowing, fields prepared and rains arriving, Zimbabwe is poised for one of its most productive summer cropping seasons in recent years.
Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) president Dr Shadreck Makombe said their members are also scaling up cereal production, supported by better financing and the availability of contract farming models.
“The season has started on a positive note. Inputs have been delivered on time and irrigation infrastructure is performing well.
“What is crucial now is ensuring timely fertiliser application and efficient weed control so that we maximise the yield potential already created,” he said.
Banks, seed and fertiliser companies have assured farmers of adequate supplies for the summer season, reinforcing confidence in the agricultural sector’s capacity to meet the demands of the upcoming cropping period.
Farmers are encouraged to stock up on dipping chemicals and ensure consistent livestock care to mitigate health risks during these moist conditions.
Farmers have been contracted under various schemes, including the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), ARDAS, and the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA).
