COMMENT: Bet on Pfumvudza/Intwasa and ride the La Niña wave

ACCELERATING the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme in the 2025/26 planting season is critical for several reasons, especially in light of climate uncertainties and the potential return of La Niña.

La Niña is a climate phenomenon that occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become cooler than average.

It is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which also includes El Niño and neutral phases.

La Niña can have wide-ranging effects on global weather patterns. But the key implications for southern Africa include above-average rainfall and flood risks.

The possibility of a second consecutive La Niña event later this year could be a game-changer for Zimbabwe.

With last season’s rains leading to a bumper harvest and boosting both food security and the economy, another round of above-average rainfall would be a welcome development — especially for rain-fed agriculture.

However, it’s wise to heed the advice of local experts: weather patterns are unpredictable and can vary widely across regions.

Farmers should stay informed through Agritex officers and MSD updates, and plan with flexibility.

Above-average rainfall can improve yields in some regions but harm crops in others due to drought or flooding.

Wetter conditions can also increase the spread of water-borne diseases and malaria, while there is also an increased need for flood and drought management strategies.

Ending reliance on rain-fed agriculture is crucial for improving food security, climate resilience, and economic stability — especially in countries like Zimbabwe.

Small-scale irrigation in the form of community-based systems, like drip or sprinkler irrigation and large-scale projects like dams, canals, and water storage need to be escalated to support commercial farming.

The planting of drought-resistant crop varieties that need less water, and conservation agriculture techniques like minimum tillage, mulching, and crop rotation to help retain soil moisture, need to be part of our DNA.

The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme fits into the broader goal of reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture by promoting climate-smart, conservation-based farming practices that make better use of available rainfall.

Among other things, the programme promotes growing drought-tolerant crops like sorghum, millet, and cowpeas, which are less dependent on consistent rainfall.

Farmers also receive training on climate-smart practices, helping them adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce vulnerability.

Pfumvudza/Intwasa has contributed to bumper harvests in recent years, even during seasons with erratic rainfall.

It has improved food security and household resilience, especially in rural areas.

The programme supports over 1,6 million vulnerable households with inputs for maize, sunflower, small grains, and soya beans.

With Zimbabwe’s national grain requirement at around 2 million tonnes, accelerating Pfumvudza helps ensure self-sufficiency and reduces reliance on imports.

Last year, the country surpassed its target with nearly 12 million Pfumvudza plots planted.

Accelerating the program now ensures that this momentum is not lost and that more households can benefit from improved productivity.

La Niña could bring above-average rainfall, which is beneficial, but only if farmers are ready to take advantage of it.

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