Theseus Mauruki Shambare
FARMERS in Matabeleland provinces have been urged to prioritise traditional grains during the 2026/27 agricultural season as Government intensifies efforts to safeguard food security against forecast below-normal rainfall.
The call comes as Zimbabwe steps up its climate-smart agricultural interventions, with sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet being promoted as alternatives to maize in drought-prone areas.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said Government was targeting three million rural beneficiaries under the Presidential Input Scheme, with each household expected to establish at least one plot of traditional grains alongside its Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots.
He said beneficiaries would have the option to choose between sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet, as Government sought to strengthen household resilience through crop diversification.
“We want each of the households, three million beneficiaries, to do a traditional grains plot. So, they will choose between sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet.
“Specifically, those in drier regions like Matabeleland provinces, must exclusively go for these climate-smart small grains which are resilient,” he said.
Dr Masuka was speaking during a pre-visit to the Institute of Agricultural Engineering in Hatcliffe, Harare, today ahead of the forthcoming launch of the Presidential Smallholder Mechanisation Programme.
The traditional grains drive is part of Government’s broader preparations for the 2026/27 agricultural season, following forecasts by the Meteorological Services Department of below-normal rainfall across the country.
Under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, Government is targeting one million hectares, equivalent to 16 million plots, with beneficiaries expected to establish at least three plots each and adhere to moisture-conservation practices.
These include mulching, liming, soil moisture retention and the incorporation of organic matter to improve soil fertility and crop performance.
Dr Masuka said Government had made progress in securing inputs for the coming season, with most maize seed already available, while traditional grain seed was also being prioritised.
“In terms of inputs now, we have done extremely well. Most of the maize seed is now available. In terms of sorghum seed, we want each of the households, three million beneficiaries, to do a traditional grains plot,” he said.
He said the country was better prepared than in previous seasons, with provincial authorities expected to conduct launches of the Presidential Input Scheme before October 31.
For Matabeleland, where farmers in several districts operate under relatively dry climatic conditions, the promotion of small grains presents an opportunity to strengthen household food production and reduce vulnerability to recurrent rainfall deficits.
The intervention also reinforces the need for farmers to diversify their cropping systems rather than rely predominantly on maize, which is more vulnerable to prolonged moisture stress.
Government is targeting national cereal production of 1,26 million tonnes during the coming season, with irrigation development and climate-smart agricultural practices expected to help sustain output despite the unfavourable rainfall outlook.
