Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare in MUTARE
GOVERNMENT will tighten the distribution of agricultural inputs ahead of the 2026/27 summer cropping season, with farmers who have completed required land preparation set to receive priority as the country braces for anticipated below-normal rainfall.
Amid threats of El Niño, the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) 200ha+ Club’s summer cropping and drought-mitigation programme, being rolled out across the country in partnership with Government, gathered farmers and agriculture officials in Mutare on Monday to strategise on boosting production and strengthening food security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Mutare programme, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Abiot Maronge said Government could no longer afford to distribute inputs to farmers who had not prepared their fields, as the country seeks to maximise food production under challenging weather conditions.
He said farmers who had dug the required Pfumvudza/Intwasa planting basins and undertaken other preparatory work should be prioritised when inputs are allocated.
“Let us give inputs to those that would have done what is required so that we don’t waste the inputs,” said Mr Maronge.
He said the approach was necessary as Government intensified climate-proofing measures, particularly among smallholder farmers who continued to use conventional farming methods despite changing climatic conditions.
“We know that our people have embraced Pfumvudza. A lot of our farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, have embraced Pfumvudza,” he said.
“But we have also seen, in the past, some of our smallholder farmers continuing to farm in the manner they have always done their farming.
“But given the gloomy situation that we have talked about, we do not have a choice. Every smallholder farmer must be engaged towards ensuring that they adopt Pfumvudza.”
Mr Maronge said District Agricultural Extension Officers (DAEOs) should play a more active role in ensuring that inputs reached farmers who were ready to use them.
“We have seen people being given inputs even without having dug the required basins,” he said.
He added that the Government also wanted to ensure that all land with potential to produce food was fully utilised.
“Whatever we need to do, let us do it. And let us do it now. To ensure that all the land that has potential to produce food is fully utilised,” he said.
Mr Maronge called for stronger coordination among Government departments, farmer organisations and other players in the agricultural value chain to ensure communities were adequately prepared for the difficult season ahead.
“Coordination is key,” he said.
SGR 200ha+ Club chairman Mr Tichaona Mapfoche said successful farmers had a responsibility to help emerging producers increase productivity through farmer-to-farmer mentorship.
He said the club’s Hub-and-Spoke model would facilitate the transfer of knowledge on land preparation, irrigation, mechanisation, crop husbandry, record-keeping and marketing.
“A policy is only successful when it translates into a productive hectare, a successful farmer, a full grain store, a functioning value chain and food on the table,” said Mr Mapfoche.
Farmer Mr Wilson Muganda said access to equipment and inputs remained a major constraint to expanding production.
“The major problem we face is obtaining resources and equipment. This includes farm implements and inputs—that is the main problem and the biggest challenge found in farming,” he said.
The national programme continued yesterday with workshops in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, before moving to Mashonaland East on Friday.
