Pfumvudza preparations behind

FARMERS in Masvingo are still far behind in expected land preparations towards a
food secure community amid threats of El Nino, a senior Government official has
said.
Speaking during the launch for the Masvingo District 2023/24 Pfumvudza and Eurea
Treatment Strover at Nyeruke Village in Chikarudzo area Ward 13, the Permanent
Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John
Basera, encouraged good agricultural practices.
He said at least 105 897 farmers have been trained under Pfumvudza translating to
116 813 plots which shows that the province still has a long way to go in terms of the
Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
“This event comes on the backdrop of the need to grow and build capacity to
improve crop and livestock production for smallholder farmers for self-sufficiency.
This launch targets 326 484 beneficiaries in the Province, which translates to 1
632420 plots covering 101 863 hectares.
“A total of 42 359 males and 63 538 females have been trained under Pfumvudza to
make a total of 105 897 beneficiaries in which at least 55 510 (17 percent) have one
plot, 35 369(10 percent) have two plots, 15 756 (5 percent) have three plots, 7 155
(2 percent) with four plots and 2 393 (0.7 percent) have five plots.
“That translates to 116 813 plots with equivalent area of 13 360 hectares prepared to
date and concludes that we still have a long way to go. I urge every farmer to
maintain the standards in terms of holing out and mulching as it conserves the
moisture,” he said.
Farmers were urged to utilise the extension officers who are always at their disposal
for good agronomic practices.
"As a ministry we are strongly encouraging good agricultural practices and
demonstration sites should be established at village level that will facilitate learning
at convenient sites.”
Farmers meetings and discussion sessions should be the norm but these should not
replace individual farm visits.
The extension officers have a task to follow up beneficiaries of the programme and
ensure good agronomic practices are religiously as non- adherence for increased
production and productivity.
The farmers were also urged to implement urea treatment of strover that will help
animals in maintaining good health conditions in distress periods, thereby improving
productivity in the sector.

The Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra
Chadzamira, represented by Douglas Chimhande thanked the Ministry of Agriculture
for the inputs package ahead of summer crop season.
“I would like to appreciate the Second Republic for the input packs which will
enhance self-sufficiency at household level. The farmers that have implemented the
Pfumvudza concept by digging holes and mulching received 10kg maize seed, 2kg
sorghum seed, 1kg pearl millet, 2kg groundnuts, 2kg sunflower or castor bean, 2kg
sugar bean 1 kg pea seed, 1×50kg top dressing, 1×50kg basal, 1×50kg lime, one
unit armyworm chemical 200ml bottle of Fipronil of termite control and post-planting
herbicide.”
Siphephile Dewa, the Extension officer for Ward 13 said that she has 523
households and 232 endorsed the programme because of late rains and lack of
motivation.
Also present at the launch was Chief Director of Agritex, Professor Obert Jiri,
Masvingo Provincial Director for Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and
Rural Development, Caristo Nobert Masiwiwa, Chief Mugabe, Chief Shumba,
Agricultural input supply companies and development partners.