Zimbabwe farmers prepare for dry season with conservation agriculture
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Farmers in Mberengwa District, Zimbabwe, are preparing for the 2026/27 summer cropping season by preparing land and receiving inputs through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The initiative aims to improve food security and build resilience to drought, aligning with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2. Across the country, farmers have reportedly prepared approximately one million hectares of land using conservation agriculture techniques like potholing and mulching to manage rainfall and improve yields.
Simbarashe Maphosa, a farmer in Mberengwa, stated his family has already prepared their plots and secured seeds, anticipating a successful harvest and a surplus to sell to the Grain Marketing Board. Agricultural officials report encouraging progress in preparations, with farmers receiving guidance from extension officers on planting times and farming methods. The government also encourages farmers to diversify crops, growing small grains like sorghum and millet alongside legumes, to improve nutrition and adapt to dry conditions.
Owen Ncube, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, emphasized that food security means access to nutritious food for all, and the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme helps achieve this even during droughts by conserving moisture and reducing labour.
