Harare, (New Ziana) – Farmers across the country have exceeded the Government’s land preparation target for the 2026/2027 summer cropping season, with more than 1.1 million hectares now prepared under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The milestone comes as farmers take advantage of the prevailing rains to intensify preparations for planting, with the programme expected to contribute towards increased agricultural productivity and national food security.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development’s latest Agricultural Development Advisory Services (ADAS) weekly report for the period ending November 9, 2026, a total of 1 102 879 hectares had been prepared under the programme.
The figure exceeds the national target of one million hectares set for the current season, up from the 713 000 hectares achieved during the previous agricultural season.
“The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme integrates minimum tillage, mulching, moisture conservation and soil fertility management, including the application of lime, manure and compost. The area comprises 695 442 hectares prepared under the three-plots-and-below category, 236 360 hectares under additional plots and 171 077 hectares through mechanised conservation agriculture,” the ADAS report stated.
The report further indicated that 3 725 369 farmers were participating in land preparation, with 14 932 721 plots already established, representing 93,3 percent of the targeted 16 million plots.
Of these, 2 763 026 farmers had completed preparations for three plots each, representing 79 percent of the programme’s targeted 3,5 million beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, national strategic grain stocks stand at 352 134 908 tonnes, as the Government intensifies efforts to build a 600 000-tonne Strategic Grain Reserve by October 2027.
The reserve-building initiative is expected to be supported by grain purchases, improved storage infrastructure, and efforts to strengthen household grain reserves.
On water availability, the report placed national dam storage levels at 82,6 percent of capacity, while the country had 308 969 hectares under irrigation, of which 119 068 hectares were available for field crop production.
The country also has substantial agricultural machinery available to support operations during the summer season, including 18 000 tractors, 3 850 planters and 482 combine harvesters.
The 2026/2027 summer production programme is being financed through a combination of public resources, private-sector participation, development partner support and farmer financing, complemented by producer incentives and agricultural extension services.
In the livestock sector, the national assessment identified 2 299 284 cattle as at risk, requiring approximately 413 871 tonnes of supplementary feed to safeguard the national herd.
The government is implementing livestock support measures, including water provision, fodder production, feed conservation, vaccination, and disease surveillance, to reduce potential production losses and strengthen animal health.
New Ziana
