By Felix Matasva
Government says it is optimistic of a fruitful 2022-2023 farming season after a timely distribution of inputs depending on ecological regions with farmers having already commenced planting in Mutare district.
In an interview with Street Eye, Mutare District Agricultural and Extension Officer (DAEO), Bertha Mashayamombe, stressed that farmers are instructed to plant the district’s major crops namely maize, tobacco, sorghum, sunflowers and groundnuts.
“We are very much prepared for this 2022-2023 farming season. We have since received effective rainfall as a district and farmers are instructed to plant crops our major crops,” said Mashayamombe.
She added that preparation of the Pfumvudza crop, which comprises of inputs distributed by government, is currently ongoing both in Mutare urban and rural areas.
“Distribution of Pfumvudza inputs has since started and farmers are receiving their input packs depending on their ecological region.
“Region 1 and 2 (Vumba and Burma Valley areas) are receiving 10kg maize seed, 50 kg Compound D and 50 kg Ammonium Nitrate while Region 3 and 4 (Gombakomba, Chitakatira and Odzi areas) are receiving small grains and 2kg maize seed,” DAEO said, urging farmers to prepare mulch so that their crops are climate proofed in case of a dry season.
Philemon Tagarira in Odzi Peri urban setup warned farmers against selling inputs being distributed under the Pfumvudza Project.
“Government has tried its best to avail inputs to farmers. If you do not utilise them and you are caught, it will be a criminal offence since some farmers are selling free inputs.
“You would have diverted inputs for another use which they were not intended for hence defrauding the state,” he said.
Livison Muthonga, a Vumba farmer who was excited to be one of the Pfumvudza Project beneficiaries said: “I am expecting 15 tonnes of maize and two tonnes on beans. I have three years producing my crops for commercial purposes.”
Despite that most farmers have not benefited from the Pfumvudza inputs, they are utilising the knowledge gained from the government project training.
“I have been following trainings on Pfumvudza but have not benefited from the inputs being distributed. What I gained is the knowledge and I have been implementing it on my farm.
“I am realizing a good bumper harvest by implementing what I learnt,” another Burma Valley farmer explained.