Three million farmers get training
MORE than 2,9 million farmers have now been trained under the Government Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs programme, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, and this will ensure that all are included in the pursuit of Vision 2030.
The number represents a considerable jump from the 2,2 million who had been trained by this time last year. Over 3,5 million farmers can still participate in the scheme this year if they all go through the training.
The planting for the present season is underway in most parts of the country, with the communal sector overwhelmingly embracing Pfumvudza, which is being promoted strongly by the Government to ensure household and national food self-sufficiency, plus growing incomes for the small-scale farmers.
Pfumvudza promotes climate proofing agriculture by adopting conservation farming techniques and involves the use of small plots and then applying the correct agronomic practices for high yields and higher returns.
According to the update by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development more than 2,9 million farmers have so far been trained under Pfumvudza with the 1,6 million women significantly outnumbering the 1,3 million men. Report also showed that Mashonaland Central was leading in Pfumvudza programme with more than 558 661 farmers followed by Mashonaland East where 528 009 farmers participated.
Farmers’ unions described the uptake as a positive step as farmers were realising the importance of agriculture in transforming people’s livelihoods.
People undergo the training to ensure they can receive free inputs and then use these to grow their own food and have a decent income from the sale of surpluses.
But the general upsurge in production also ensures that Zimbabwe as a whole will grow enough food. Recently, Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) economist Ms Nyasha Taderera applauded women for taking up the training, saying it will go a long way in sustaining families.
She also said the programme had become a solution for farmers in dry regions.
“I appreciate the involvement of women in such programmes,” said Ms Taderera.
“This will lead to economic growth. If we equip women, they can save their families.
“I recommend more women to take up these programmes. Its massive uptake has improved yields and enhanced household food security for the majority of smallholder farmers.”
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said the increase of farmers in taking up Pfumvudza was a welcome development which will help to maximise outputs so that the country becomes self-sufficient in terms of food.
“There is a tremendous improvement of farmers who are taking up Pfumvudza training. Most of them have realised that the concept is important. Pfumvudza is the only way to go in terms of food security and sustainability,” she said.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president, Mr Victor Mariranyika, urged farmers to take up Pfumvudza training in large numbers so as to ensure food security and boost household incomes by selling the surplus.
He advised farmers to diversify the crops and improve on horticultural products so as to sustain families.
“I recommend farmers to take up this training,” said Mr Mariranyika.
“Pfumvudza is the only way to go in terms of ensuring food security and sustainability. The increase in farmers’ participation is a great sign which symbolises that the nation will be self-sufficient in terms of food crops.
“I urge both men and women to continue taking up this training.”
Pfumvudza is aimed at ensuring the smaller farms are run as proper businesses, with the farmers retaining what they need for on-farm consumption and selling the rest of their harvest. The training includes business areas, such as how to keep proper records.
The programme which started for cereals has now been spread to cotton. Some farmers have also joined the programme after seeing the positive results from last season on their neighbours’ land.