By The Government has pledged a robust supply of drought-tolerant seed varieties ahead of the summer cropping season, with a strong focus on early distribution and climate-resilient farming practices to bolster national food security.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Davis Marapira, gave the assurance during a tour of the Valley Seeds plant in Murewa on Tuesday.
He emphasized that the Government was taking proactive steps to ensure the availability of new crop varieties tailored to different agro-ecological zones. Key to this effort is the timely delivery of seed inputs to farming communities.
“We are in April, but we already have the seed for the next season,” said Deputy Minister Marapira. “We must ensure that from September 15 to November 15, farmers have seed on their farms. Early preparations are important in ensuring high yields.”
He urged farmers benefiting from the Presidential Inputs Scheme to take advantage of the current soil moisture levels and begin preparations. Marapira also encouraged farmers to test their soil pH and apply lime where necessary to improve conditions for planting.
In regions with low rainfall, the Government will distribute traditional grains such as sorghum and millet to support climate-resilient agriculture.
Valley Seeds Technical Director, Mr. Patrick Sajeni, confirmed their readiness to supply seed suited to both low and high rainfall areas.
“In the Matabeleland region, we have sunflowers, sorghum, and cowpeas. In the high-rainfall areas, we have introduced new varieties that suit the rainfall pattern,” he said.
The agricultural sector has faced mounting challenges due to the effects of climate change, leading the Government to adopt initiatives like the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme—a conservation farming model aimed at increasing productivity through sustainable practices.
The Pfumvudza approach promotes the use of small land plots with minimum soil disturbance, effective mulching, timely operations, and proper agronomic practices. It is being applied to staple crops such as maize, traditional grains, and soya beans, with the goal of transforming smallholder farming into a more commercial enterprise.
The Government’s commitment to early seed provision and climate-smart agriculture reflects a broader strategy to enhance food self-sufficiency in the face of environmental uncertainties.
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