President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) officers to ensure that all farmers, regardless of community, benefit from inputs distributed under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme. He warned that Government will not tolerate any withholding of inputs meant for targeted beneficiaries.
Speaking at the Zanu PF National Consultative Assembly held at the ruling party headquarters, the President instructed the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to take corrective action against errant officers and guarantee fair distribution.
“We heard that there were Agritex officers who are withholding inputs from people. The Ministry of Agriculture should fix this. Inputs should be distributed to the generality of the people of Zimbabwe. I reiterate that all inputs must reach our farmers and benefit all our communities,” he said.
Distribution of maize seed, fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme is already underway, with the Government pushing for a coordinated effort to ensure a successful 2025/2026 summer cropping season.
President Mnangagwa urged the party’s leadership, farmer organisations and relevant State institutions to strengthen cooperation, highlighting ongoing investments in dam construction, irrigation expansion and the development of green belts as key pillars of agricultural transformation.
As of last month, smallholder farmers had prepared more than 14 million Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots ahead of the agricultural season—an indication of strong uptake of the conservation agriculture model that has become central to national food security. Smallholder farmers provide up to 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s food and have been the main beneficiaries of the programme over the past five years.
This year’s input roll-out is being guided by agro-ecological zoning, ensuring that crop varieties are aligned with regional climatic conditions. Maize will dominate in wetter Regions 1 and 2, while drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet are being prioritised in the drier Regions 4 and 5, as well as parts of Region 3. The Meteorological Services Department is forecasting normal to above-normal rainfall in the south and normal to below-normal rains in the north.
The President said the country’s progress toward Vision 2030 depended on full utilisation of land and water resources, noting that recent interventions had already resulted in record harvests of maize, wheat and tobacco.
“We must carry on being able to feed ourselves, at both household and national levels, as well as providing the necessary raw materials to our growing industrial sector. Those in rural areas should aim for bountiful harvests and contribute to national food security,” he said.
The President also highlighted ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy and strengthen the local currency, warning citizens to remain vigilant against attempts to undermine national progress.
He cautioned Zimbabweans against misinformation and “sideshows” propagated by detractors intent on derailing the country’s development trajectory.
As the nation moves toward the New Year, the President urged Zanu PF members to prioritise economic development and maintain unity, discipline and loyalty in line with the party’s constitution and ideology.
“We are a procedural party, with a rich liberation history and strong organisational structures. That solid foundation must not be tampered with,” he said.
President Mnangagwa stressed that community feedback remained vital to ensuring that no one and no place is left behind in national development efforts.
