The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Business Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Richard Moyo, has encouraged farmers to embrace the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme as well as participate at agricultural shows as this has a potential to improve their produce.
The minister echoed these sentiments at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) 2021 Agri-produce section second prize winner field day and prize handover ceremony at Mrs Ntombizodwa Nkomo-Banda’s homestead in Tsholotsho District on Friday.
“Participation at agricultural shows is not for a few select but it is for everyone. I urge all of you gathered here today to take advantage of this important platform provided by such organisations as ZAS and Whange Agricultural Show Society, and partake in shows,” said Minister Moyo.
The past farming season saw a big increase in yields owing to the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme coupled with good rains.
“The country produced 2,7 million metric tonnes of maize in the 2020/2021 season compared to 908 000 metric tonnes produced in the 2019/2020 season.
The country saw a staggering 5 metric tonnes per/ha in terms of maize yield from the Pfumvudza programne,” said Minister Moyo.
Zimbabwe Agricultural Society chairperson Mr Ivan Craig said this year’s show was unique as production improved with a lot of farmers getting a bumper harvest due to the Intwasa programme.
“Looking at the Pfumvudza programme this past season, we realised that the performance of our crops this year improved.
Not only did they improve on the field but paid off farmers very well as we saw some building houses while others acquired farm machinery which is quite commendable,” said Mr Craig.
Mrs Nkomo-Banda is not the first farmer to win a prize in Tsholotsho as this was the third time for the district to win such an accolade.
“Tsholotsho is one of the areas that I have much respect for. It is a very dry area but the farmers are very hard working and participate in numbers at the agricultural shows.
This is the third time to come over here and hand over prizes.
In 2018 we handed over a tractor to the overall best farmer. The other year we came to hand over a prize to the overall best extension worker and today we are handing over to the 1st runner up,” said Mr Craig.
Mr Craig attributed the success to the good Agritex team led by the provincial agritex officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni and his team while also commending the farmers for their ability to listen to their extension officers.
Mrs Nkomo-Banda could not hide her joy as she took the guests through her field while also encouraging other farmers to partake in show exhibitions.
“Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme helped me this year to scoop this award. I’ve taught my family as per our extension officer’s advices.
I am very happy with the award and would encourage other farmers to partake in exhibitions as well,” said Mrs Nkomo-Banda.
In addition to the prizes given to the winner which included farm machinery and inputs, Minister Moyo and Mr Craig pledged to drill an 80-metre deep borehole for the farmer. – @nyeve14.
