By Felix Mwatutsa
MARONDERA– So far 40 000 farmers in Marondera district have benefited from the Presidential Climate-Proofed Inputs Scheme, also known as Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
In an interview on the sidelines of the tour of the grain marketing board (GMB) Marondera deport, where he was assessing the distribution of inputs, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Leonard Munamati was happy with the way the programme was being carried out in the province.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme has proven to be a significant contributor to household food security, prompting the Government to continue supporting farmers through the scheme.
Munamati said: ” We are pleased to report that input distribution programme in Marondera is progressing well. To date, 40 000 farmers have received the inputs, and an additional 3 000 farmers from Wards 5 and 7 have already received their inputs.
We urge all areas and districts to distribute inputs promptly upon receipt.”
The Chief Director said that Mashonaland East Province’s target is for farmers to prepare over 1.6 million plots. Currently, the province has exceeded this goal, with 1.75 million more plots prepared than targeted. He noted that most farmers are adhering to the programme.
A total of 550,000 farmers in the province are expected to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
According to Munamati, rural farmers are the intended beneficiaries of the programme
“Zimbabwe’s national target for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is meant to benefit over 3 million farmers in rural areas. Notably, 3 million farmers have already prepared their plots, with a remarkable 9.6 million plots having been already prepared this summer cropping season.” Munamati added.
He encouraged farmers not benefiting from the Presidential Climate-Proofed Inputs Scheme to adopt to other farming method with the guidance of Agritex officers in all wards and districts.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is a conservation farming approach that promotes efficient resource use, requiring minimal labor and inputs, making it ideal for rural communities.
