Staff Reporter
The new Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa Inputs distribution formula, which will see each region getting inputs that will do well there, has been commended by farmers who believe high yields are guaranteed.
Government announced recently that it had abandoned the distribution of similar cropping inputs under the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme so as to ensure each agro-ecological region got a seed that would thrive when planted in the correct area.
About two years ago, the Government announced a change in the country’s agro-ecological boundaries so as to mirror the realities brought about by climate change.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agro-ecological regions are zones on the basis of combinations of soil, landform and climatic characteristics.
Prior to the redrawing of the agro-ecological boundaries, Zimbabwe was divided into five regions using a system that was crafted in the 1960s.
Owing to climate change, the Government realised that there was a need to reconfigure the agro-ecological regions to meet the shifts in climatic conditions.
While the country was zoned into five particular agro regions, the distribution of farming inputs was uniform and did not take into account the fact that the agro regions had different rainfall patterns and soils.
However, things are changing this summer cropping season with the Government announcing through the Ministry of Agriculture that inputs under the Pfumvudza programme will be distributed along the new agro ecological regions.
The Pfumvudza programme this year is expected to support three million households, with all of them getting inputs that are specific to their areas.
The inputs package will consist of maize, sorghum, pearl millet, soyabeans, sunflower, groundnuts, vegetables and African peas.
It is expected that the new approach to distribution of inputs would revolutionise agricultural planning and practice in Zimbabwe, to make it more precise as it will no longer be based on the outdated agro-
ecological zones developed between 1945 and 1960.
Chief director responsible for Agriculture Advisory Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Resettlement, Dr Obert Jiri, said the new inputs distribution formula seeks to ensure that each area gets “appropriate inputs” which will do well.
In regions 1 and 2, farmers will get 10kg maize seed per plot and less traditional grain seeds which don’t tend to do well in those regions.
Regions 3, 4, and 5 will get 2kg to 5kg maize seed per plot and this would be compensated with the distribution of more traditional grains such as sorghum, African peas and pearl millet.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) operations director Dr Prince Kuipa commended the Government for the new distribution formula for Pfumvudza inputs.
“We are happy with the new ecological regions and the new distribution pattern which is something we have been advocating for, for a long time.
“So we are happy about this and hopefully this will lead to household and national food security,” said Dr Kuipa.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe praised the decision by the Government to adopt the new input distribution system, saying it was responsive to the climate conditions of each region.
“This is a good move as each region will get inputs that do well. Some regions do well with small grains and others do well with maize,” said Dr Makombe.
“Equally some regions are good for rearing livestock such as cattle. So as a Union, I think this is welcome and farmers will benefit the most.”
Farmers have also welcomed the move by the Government, and they believe the new distribution method will enhance yields and boost revenue generation.
A Banket farmer Mr Arnold Musengi said: “As farmers we had not changed our farming methods owing to a reliance on the old agro regions but the change, and more importantly, the distribution system is most welcome as it is scientifically based.
“Farmers are likely to witness an increase in revenue and household food security will be guaranteed.”
