The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
THE training of beneficiaries under the Pfumvudza programme is almost through, while the delivery and distribution of inputs has intensified to ensure that farmers are ready to plant with the early rains in Manicaland.
The programme, which is set to benefit 461 573 farmers, has been applauded by various stakeholders given its potential to improve food security at household level.
Acting director, Agriculture Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS), Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said they were almost done with training of farmers, while they had covered a lot of ground in the distribution of inputs across the province.
AARDS had set end of September as its deadline for the training of beneficiaries.
However, districts like Makoni, Buhera, Mutare, Chipinge, Mutasa and Nyanga have so far achieved about 96 percent of set targets.
“We are almost done with training of 461 573 beneficiaries under the Pfumvudza programme and more inputs are arriving and distribution is ongoing in all districts,” said Mrs Rwambiwa, adding they have compiled an electronic database of all farmers under Pfumvudza.
The system guards against corruption and abuse of the programme.
Mrs Rwambiwa said Pfumvudza will also be implemented to boost the Zunde raMambo programme which is targeting all chiefs, headmen and village heads in Manicaland.
Zunde raMambo will primarily focus on maize and sorghum production.
The scheme will support 1ha for the chiefs, 0.75ha for headman and 0.5ha each for village heads.
Additionally, each chief will get a one tonne metal silo for grain storage.
The programme will also target 500 000 urban farmers.
Mr Bernard Kadyamusuma of Rusape is raring to go.
“I have finished establishing the planting basins on all my five plots, and I am now looking forward to getting my full package of inputs so that l get ready to plant with the first rains.
“I made a breakthrough last season, and I am expecting even better yields this season. Farmers only need to diligently follow all the steps to reap huge rewards.
“As we speak, I have applied the lime and organic manure in all the planting basins. I have also gathered the required mulch in the form of grass and crop residue,” said Mr Kadyamusuma.
Rural development expert, Professor Joseph Kamuzhanje hailed the Government for timeously pooling resources to support small-holder farmers.
“Pfumvudza is a concept that enhances farmers’ harvests, especially when there is inadequate rainfall. The digging of the planting basins, the mulching and the clearing of weeds are part of a holistic and integrated process.
“Every part of the process is as important as the next one. What this means is that if a farmer cuts corners on just one of them, then all of them will fail. People will think the concept does not work, yet it works very well when all steps are followed religiously.
“Pfumvudza is also part of the precision agriculture model that is being promoted by Government. The planting basins must be dug on time, the fertiliser and other chemicals must be applied on time, the mulching must be done on time and it must cover all the necessary areas,” said Prof Kamuzhanje.
Pfumvudza also alleviates the draft power challenges being faced by farmers who lost their cattle to January Disease as the concept focuses on minimum usage of tillage.
Prof Kamuzhanje went on to warn farmers against complacency amid prospects of normal to above normal rains.
Regional weather and climate experts have forecast that the country is expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall between October and March 2023.
