Theseus Shambare and Debra Matabvu
AGRICULTURAL inputs have already been delivered to six of the country’s eight rural provinces, raising expectations that farmers will be adequately prepared for the 2025/2026 summer cropping season.
The distribution of maize seed, fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme is in full swing.
More than three million rural households are set to benefit from the programme, which aims to boost food security and resilience in the wake of climate change.
The Government has assured farmers that the country has adequate seed and fertiliser stocks.
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services chief director Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi said preparations were progressing well, with over 10 000 hectares already prepared and inputs arriving in most provinces.
“We are very happy to say, in terms of summer preparedness, we have really gone strong, especially under the Presidential Inputs Scheme,” said Mrs Magwenzi.
“The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is ongoing, and it is now not just a source of free inputs — it is a way of farming because we have seen its benefits. On a small area, farmers can attain high productivity and high yields.”
The Government is targeting three million farmers, each expected to prepare at least three Pfumvudza plots, translating to about nine million plots countrywide.
“As we stand right now, we have over six million plots prepared,” she said.
“Some farmers are even doing more than the required three plots — some five; others up to 25 — which shows that farmers have embraced Pfumvudza/Intwasa as a sustainable farming practice.”
Input deliveries have so far reached Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Midlands, Mashonaland West and Masvingo, with stocks now being moved to local depots.
“We are quite ready for the season and only waiting for the rains,” added Mrs Magwenzi.
Distribution is being coordinated at ward level by committees chaired by councillors and supported by chiefs and agricultural extension officers.
Priority is being given to farmers who delivered at least 10kg of grain to the Grain Marketing Board last season, in line with the Government’s policy of rewarding producers who contribute to national grain reserves.
This year’s roll-out will prioritise agro-ecological zoning, ensuring that crop varieties are matched to regional climatic conditions.
Maize will dominate in the wetter Regions 1 and 2, while sorghum and millet will be promoted in the drier Regions 4 and 5, as well as parts of Region 3, to strengthen drought resilience.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the Government was complementing the Presidential Inputs Scheme with several financing initiatives to support farmers.
“We have NEAPS (National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme), which is run through CBZ, AFC, NMB and other banks. That programme supports our larger producers with working capital,” said Prof Jiri.
“We also have the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA) — our private sector contractors who work directly with farmers to finance production. This model has proved very effective in recent seasons.”
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority joint venture programme, he added, targets to produce 500 000 tonnes (t) of summer grains from 100 000 hectares (ha), along with 300 000t of winter crops from 60 000ha.
The outlook for the coming season is generally favourable.
Meteorological Services Department director Ms Rebecca Manzou said farmers should expect normal to above-normal rainfall in the south and normal to below-normal rains in the north, although the onset of rains could be delayed by up to a month in some areas.
“It is a neutral year,” she said.
“Farmers should expect rainfall that is normal to above-normal in the south and normal to below-normal in the north. However, the onset will likely be delayed by up to a month in some areas, with rainfall distribution remaining erratic.”
Zimbabwe Farmers Union secretary-general Mr Paul Zakariya welcomed the early distribution of inputs but called for vigilance and transparency.
“We applaud the early delivery of inputs and the move towards climate-smart programmes, but farmers must see timely distribution and fair compensation for what they produce,” said Mr Zakariya.
Abandoning rain-fed agriculture
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will put 220 00ha under irrigation for summer crops through the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Plan as it seeks to switch from reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
The initiative, which was launched in 2021, seeks to develop 496 000ha of irrigated land by 2030, including 350 000ha dedicated to summer cereal production.
It forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to ensure food security and promote climate-resilient agriculture.
Experts estimate that Zimbabwe requires at least 350 000ha of irrigated land to produce 1,8 million tonnes of maize annually — enough to meet national demand.
Overall, the plan will ensure year-round food production.
Prof Jiri said the programme is key to cushioning farmers from climate variability and boosting national yields.
“A total of 223 000 hectares of land have been put under irrigation for summer crops, utilising our 10 700 dams,” he said.
“The Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation Plan aims to mitigate the risk of mid-season droughts and enhance agricultural production.”
Irrigation development has become critical in Zimbabwe as the country increasingly faces climate change-induced recurrent droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns that threaten food security.
Under the new plan, the Government seeks to leverage the country’s 10 700 dams, most of which were previously underutilised.
It is also now part of the Government’s programming that every new dam will make provision for irrigation.
Nine major dams currently under construction will bring an additional 40 500ha of irrigated land into production.
These include Semwa Dam in Mashonaland Central (12 000ha), Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Matabeleland North (10 000ha) and Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East (1 240ha).
Others are Tuli Manyange in Matabeleland South (2 400ha), Mbada in Mashonaland Central (2 300ha), Dande in Mashonaland Central (4 000ha), Ziminya in Matabeleland North (4 500ha) and Vungu in Midlands (2 513ha).
“At present, Zimbabwe is the most dammed country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 10 000 dams already storing water, most of which is underutilised,” he said.
“The country is faced with a skewed water sector development reality, whereby dam developments are far ahead of irrigation development, and is endowed with water resources that have the potential to irrigate over two million hectares. This strategy is targeting irrigation development using idle water bodies; that is, dams already commissioned and dams under construction.”
In the 2025 National Budget, the Government allocated ZiG2 billion for dam construction, with Lake Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi Dam receiving the largest chunk.
The Gwayi-Shangani-Bulawayo Water Project includes a 10-megawatt mini-hydropower station, a 252km pipeline with six booster stations linking the dam to Cowdray Park in Bulawayo and a 220-megalitre-per-day water treatment plant.
Communities along the pipeline will also benefit from 10 000ha of new irrigation schemes.
At the same time, Kunzvi Dam will support irrigation on at least 500ha for nearby communities while providing domestic water to Juru Growth Point, Cross, Musami and Majuru Business Centre in Goromonzi, as well as helping to ease Harare’s perennial water shortages.
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