mbulelo smpofu
Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw
THE Midlands Province has recorded significant progress under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, with over 1, 3 million plots prepared, spanning 85 433 hectares — a remarkable 50 percent increase from the 43 561 hectares prepared last year.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, a Government-led initiative promoting climate-resilient agriculture and enhancing food security, continues to support vulnerable communities and drive sustainable agricultural development across the country. It is a vital initiative for boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in Zimbabwe.
Midlands Provincial Director of Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Services, Ms Busiso Olga Mavankeni, said over a million households managed to prepare three plots each, with around 90 000 farmers preparing up to five plots.
“Under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa update, a total of 1 369 117 plots have been prepared throughout the province to date, translating to 85 433 hectares compared to 43 561 hectares in 2024. This constitutes an increase of 50 percent for 2025 compared to 2024,” she said.
Ms Mavankeni added that planting is underway, with the plots earmarked for cereals such as maize, sorghum and pearl millet, as well as oilseeds like sunflower and legumes such as groundnuts and cowpeas.
“Planting in the Midlands Province was slightly delayed due to prolonged dry spells in November and December. However, effective rains were received in December 2024, with some areas getting rainfall in January 2025. This delay is not ideal for medium to late-maturing maize varieties,” she said.
To adapt, farmers are being encouraged to plant short-season varieties of sorghum and take advantage of the planting window for sunflower, beans and sweet potatoes.
Ms Mavankeni noted that cereal crops planted in October are at an early reproductive stage, with conditions ranging from fair to very good.
“Some crops were affected by heat stress and are in fair to good condition, while those planted under irrigation are in good to very good condition. Replanted cereal crops are at the early vegetative stage and are in good condition,” she said.
