GOVERNMENT TARGETS 1 MILLION HECTARES UNDER PUMHUTSA TO CLIMATE-PROOF DRY SEASON

HARARE – Government is calling on farmers to expedite the establishment of Pfumvudza plots as part of efforts to climate-proof agriculture ahead of an anticipated drier cropping season.  

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri. Speaking in Harare today, Prof. Jiri said Pfumvudza remains a key pillar for food security, with acreage under the conservation agriculture program rising significantly in recent years. 

The Permanent Secretary speaking in Harare today, Prof. Jiri said that, in 2025, a total of 17,000 hectares were put under Pfumvudza, marking a massive improvement from previous years.  For the upcoming season, the government is targeting one million hectares under Pfumvudza, citing the need to cushion dryland crops against erratic rains. 

Prof.Jiri, warned that without climate-proofing, it will be very difficult for dryland crops to reach maturity under drier conditions expected this season.  The drive includes a household target, with every family encouraged to have at least three permanent Pfumvudza plots established. 

Permanent Secreatry Jiri has urged farmers to start rolling out the plots now during the dry period, ahead of the onset of the rain season.  The permanence of plots was identified as critical to the success of Pfumvudza, with many farmers who adopted the practice in prior years now maintaining established plots. 

New adopters have also been directed to establish and make their plots permanent immediately.  In addition to plot establishment, farmers were told to begin gathering mulch now so it can be laid when rains approach to conserve moisture, coupled with agroecological tailoring to match appropriate crop varieties to specific regions.