Pfumvudza/Intwasa input distribution launched in Midlands

Gweru (New Ziana) – Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube has launched Pfumvudza/Intwasa input distribution in the region and warned beneficiaries against abusing the farming inputs.

The launch comes at a time when the government is implementing the rural industrialisation strategy, with community-based projects that leverage the local climate to ensure food and nutritional security.

Ncube urged communal farmers in the province to adopt various mitigatory measures to protect their crops and livestock from the predicted El-Nino-induced drought this summer.

“I have committed myself to roll out Pfumvudza inputs to all farmers in the province, therefore I urge you to strictly follow the guidance that you get from extension workers on Pfumvudza farming methods. As you receive the inputs, it is important to note that the government has projected normal to below normal 2023/24 rainfall season due to El Nino, which is associated with droughts and flash floods,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government is targeting to train and re-train more than three million farmers under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.

To date, 299 173 households have been trained against a target of 397 000.

The development has been made possible by the Second Republic’s deployment of Agricultural Officers capacitated with motorbikes for easy outreach and tablets for easy information dissemination to farmers for improved productivity and production.

Ncube warned farming input recipients against abusing the benefit, saying they faced prosecution if found to have done so.

“I am happy to advise you that the Government is availing Presidential Inputs to farmers in all our communities. Accordingly, I call upon all drivers of this programme to be transparent and accountable. Let me advise all people with corrupt tendencies of stealing and selling inputs that the full wrath of the law will be applied, be warned,” he said.

New Ziana