Agriculture Reporter
President Mnangagwa yesterday launched the 2024/25 Presidential Climate-Proofed Agriculture Scheme, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, and the Zunde RaMambo Programme, marking the start of Zimbabwe's summer cropping season.
The event took place at Gwebu Primary School in Gwebu Village, Buhera District, Manicaland Province, drawing government officials, farmers, and local community members.
In his address, delivered by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, President Mnangagwa emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to rural development and food security, aligning with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 goal of achieving an empowered, prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“The 2024/25 season Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme theme aligns with our mantra, ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo,’ or ‘Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo.’ This initiative is part of our broader agenda to drive inclusive development, creating wealth and economic opportunities for all Zimbabweans, leaving no one and no place behind,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President highlighted the strategic focus on scaling up irrigation efforts, with the aim to reach 350 000 hectares of irrigated cereal production by 2030. He underscored the need for climate-resilient agricultural practices, especially in light of recent weather challenges.
“Emerging from the worst drought in 43 years, we are optimistic about the upcoming rainfall season. The lesson from last year’s El Niño-induced drought has underscored the importance of climate-proofing measures at both household and national levels. By accelerating irrigation development and expanding the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, we aim to ensure food security for families across Zimbabwe,” he noted.
Since its inception in the 2020/21 agricultural season, the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme has played a pivotal role in promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.
This year, the initiative targets 3.5 million beneficiaries, covering 1.8 million households and approximately 9.5 million plots nationwide. President Mnangagwa stressed that households' access to social welfare will be contingent on their participation in the programme.
“I have instructed the Ministers of Agriculture and Social Welfare to collaborate closely, ensuring that only those households that have prepared Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots can access social support from November 2024. This aims to eliminate dependency and foster self-sufficiency among our communities,” he emphasized.
He further noted that 64% of beneficiaries have already prepared 63% of the targeted plots, reflecting the programme’s growing acceptance and impact in rural areas.
The President highlighted the role of trained Agricultural Extension Workers in supporting farmers, with over 5,294 personnel deployed across the provinces, assisted by the Vision 2030 Agricultural Livelihoods Tracker (VALT).
“The success of this programme is anchored in effective extension services, and it is encouraging to see our extension workers equipped to support farmers from training to harvest,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also emphasized the cultural significance of integrating traditional leaders in agricultural activities through the Zunde RaMambo/Isiphala seNkosi programme, which aims to bolster food security using time-honoured community practices.
The launch has set an optimistic tone for the 2024/25 agricultural season, with stakeholders hopeful that the expanded Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme will further uplift rural communities and fortify Zimbabwe’s food security efforts.
