Zimbabwe embraces Intwasa/Pfumvudza Concept: a shift towards self-sufficiency in food production

HUMANITARIAN assistance to Zimbabwe is now a thing of the past as communities are embracing Intwasa/Pfumvudza concept to ensure household food security, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri has said.

Intwasa is a concept aimed at climate-proofing agriculture by adopting conservation farming techniques and involves the utilisation of small pieces of land and applying the correct agronomic practices for higher returns.

The concept is being applied to maize, traditional grains and soybeans.

It is also aimed at commercialising smallholder agriculture.

The Presidential Inputs scheme was implemented under the Pfumvudza programme and farmers were given free seed, basal fertiliser, top dressing fertiliser, chemicals and lime.

Prof Jiri said instead of free handouts, Government has come up with a cocktail of resilience building and climate smart technologies aimed at ensuring household food security for everyone.

“The Government focus is on making sure that everyone has enough food on the table. Instead of pushing for free food handouts, Government through the Ministry of Lands Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has come up with a cocktail of resilience building and Climate Smart technologies aimed at ensuring food security for everyone, everywhere, every day,” said Prof Jiri.

Prof Jiri said all vulnerable groups which include the elderly, child headed families, orphans and the chronically ill should at least establish three Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots before thinking of receiving food assistance during peak hunger period.

“They can also request for more inputs from Government if they want to increase number of plots under Pfumvudza/Intwasa.

“Thus, families needing more food will be assisted to grow more.”

Prof Jiri said over the last three seasons, Pfumvudza/Intwasa has been modified to improve output largely through selection of the best crops and varieties for each area.

He further noted that productivity levels from Pfumvudza/ Intwasa plots surpass those from conventionally grown crops.

“Only those who religiously follow the Pfumvudza tenets will realise the benefits of this climate smart technology. Government will always step with food assistance but strongly calls for eradication of dependency syndrome amongst the general populace. No one will die of hunger in Zimbabwe.”-chronicle