The government of Zimbabwe has adopted the Pfumvudza concept during the 2021/2021 agricultural season.
Following the success of the Pfumvudza programme on maize and other small grains, the Government announced that Presidential Cotton Input Scheme will be done under this concept. The original Pfumvudza objective was that a family should feed itself.
The main crops were mainly maize and some traditional crops. If farming is done at higher standards, it is possible to feed a family from a small piece of land. The concept has been adopted to address the problems of low productivity, low production and low profitability by the farming community.
Climate proof agricultural production
The adoption of the Pfumvudza which is based on Conservation Agriculture (CA) will help to climate proof agricultural production. The Government’s Agriculture Recovery Plan has also been anchored on the Pfumvudza concept, among other initiatives, thereby addressing household food security and commercialisation of smallholder farming in the country.
During the 2020/2021 agricultural season, Arda Seeds supplied about 1 300 tonnes of hybrid maize, 120 tonnes sorghum, 100 tons soyabeans and 80 tonnes cowpeas seed to the Presidential Input Scheme, mostly under the Pfumvudza initiative, Mwashaireni Amon said.
This is expected to be doubled during the 2021/2022 season. As we speak, 800 tonnes of hybrid maize seed (ZS265 and ZS263) has been delivered to various GMB Depots. Although the hybrid maize seed varieties are Drought Tolerant (DT), if grown under the Pfumvudza, yields will be much higher.
The agriculture sector which is seen growing by 34% in 2021, it is expected to register further growth during the coming season due to the anticipated normal to above normal rainfall in most areas, and an expanded Pfumvudza programme.
Increased and improved land under irrigation will also be key in enhancing crop productivity in the country. The Government under the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030 is aiming to end hunger and poverty for good, within the shortest period of time. Arda Seeds will play its role in supporting government programmes, increasing seed supply of the various seed crops.
