Manicaland Commercialise Pfumvudza Farming

By Faith Chimutsa

The recently introduced government Pfumvudza / Intwasa program has been transformed from subsistence farming to commercial farming by  farmers in Manicaland so as to increase production.

The main objective of adopting Pfumvudza concept is to obtain household food security and national food self-sufficiency.

Speaking at the Pfumvudza program launch at Mudzengerere village in Chiendambuya in Manicaland, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera said farmers in Chiendambuya have religiously adopted the Pfumvudza concept.

This flagship programme is meant to assure the nation that no one will ever go hungry at household level as it focuses on resilience building in the face of climate change. The Agricultural Recovery Plan is underpinned by the Pfumvudza initiative and it’s continued implementation will enable the nation to achieve vision 2030.

“More than 400 thousand households were supported by this program in Manicaland, contributing about 20 percent of maize total production and the results are promising and incredible.

“Last year, maize average yield from Manicaland was around 5 tonnes per hectare which clearly indicate that the aim of achieving more yield per unit was greatly achieved,” explained Bhasera.

Manicaland Pfumvudza farmers Mrs Thandiwe Mukonyora and Rita Chitsike were given each a bicycle, 50 kg maize seed, and fertilisers as the best Pfumvudza farmers in the province.

Chitsike thanked the government for providing inputs on time, which enabled farmers in the region to produce highest yields as far as food security and self-sufficiency of the people of Zimbabwe is concerned.

“I also want to appreciate Valley Seeds and SEED-CO as well as the government and its partners for supporting us with inputs and the Agritex official’s assistance with agricultural training and ideas.

“There is no shortcuts in pfumvudza ,no substitute for digging. Crop rotation, putting manure, mulching and doing it timely are the best solutions for Pfumvudza to surpass the targets, “said Chitsike.