The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A total of 400 000 farmers in Manicaland are set to receive inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Inputs Scheme, a senior Government official has said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera said this yesterday during the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Inputs Scheme distribution provincial launch held at Roman Catholic priest, Father Stanislous Chetse’s homestead in Mawango Village, Makoni.
“Government is forging ahead in enhancing productivity in the agricultural sector and it is against this background that all programmes, including the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Inputs Scheme, will be accelerated.
“Here in Manicaland, a total of 400 000 farmers are set to benefit from this initiative. This programme is part of a broader Government initiative to enhance productivity. As a ministry, we are excited about the increased productivity across all agricultural sectors, including livestock.
“This is in line with the mandate given to us by President Mnangagwa with regards to achieving Vision 2030 as well as the need to maintain food self sufficiency.
“As we speak, the country has enough grain to feed its citizens, and that should be the case with or without normal rainfall.
“We are in this Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme as part of our response to devastating effects of climate change. I am sure we have seen how climate change has affected farming operations as we now witness mid season dry spells. lnitiatives such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa come in handy in mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Dr Basera.
During the same event, Dr Basera also handed over motorcycles to agricultural extension officers in Makoni District.
He said as the country is moving towards achieving increased productivity, Government has seen it fit to capacitate farmers as well as agricultural extension officers.
“When the President gave us the mandate to ensure increased productivity, we were quick to ask for tools of the trade and all necessary equipment to ensure that we achieve what was set for us.
“Through our visionary leader, President Mnangagwa, a deliberate effort was made to avail equipment through funding from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
“Some of the funds went towards purchasing motorcycles for our agricultural extension officers. A total of 7 000 motorcycles were acquired for the agricultural extension officers across the country. Today we are witnessing the distribution of some of the motorcycles here in Makoni.
“We will ensure that no place or person is left behind in the agricultural development trajectory that the country has embarked on,” said Dr Bhasera.
Speaking during the same function, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza urged farmers across the province to play their part in contributing towards the country’s food self-sufficiency.
“I am confident about the performance of Manicaland’s agricultural sector. With the kind of leadership we have at the helm of this ministry, I have no doubt that Manicaland will be able to play ball and break targets in terms of agricultural production.
“However, that needs farmers to play their part. Farmers, myself included, should know that they have a duty to ensure the country’s food self-sufficiency, hence the need to work extra hard on the fields,” said Minister Mugadza.
Farmers in Makoni District received fertiliser and maize seed at Manicaland’s official launch of Pfumvudza/Intwasa Inputs distribution programme.
The scheme is accommodating farmers in maize production and traditional grains.
Those in ecological farming regions one, two and three are receiving maize seed, while those in regions four and five will receive traditional grains under the agro-ecological matching initiative.
