Minister Masuka Urges Matabeleland Farmers to Prioritise Grains

Matabeleland farmers have been urged to prioritise sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet for the 2026/27 agricultural season as Zimbabwe responds to forecasts of below-normal rainfall, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka announced. The government is targeting three million rural beneficiaries under the Presidential Input Scheme to safeguard food security.

Drought-Prone Districts Told to Abandon Maize

The push toward traditional grains targets drier regions where maize is more vulnerable to prolonged moisture stress. Government plans require every household under the input scheme to establish at least one plot of traditional grains alongside its Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots. Officials note that sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet are resilient against drought conditions expected during the coming months.

Farmers operating in Matabeleland districts face recurrent rainfall deficits that make traditional maize farming increasingly unreliable.

Inputs and Provincial Deadlines Set for October

Government preparations for the 2026/27 season involve securing adequate seed supplies well ahead of planting. Most maize seed is already available, while traditional grain seed is also being prioritised for the three million targeted households. Provincial authorities are expected to conduct launches of the Presidential Input Scheme before October 31.

The broader agricultural strategy aims for national cereal production of 1.26 million tonnes. Authorities are pairing the seed distribution with moisture-conservation techniques under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, which targets one million hectares across the country. These practices include mulching, liming, and the incorporation of organic matter to improve soil fertility and crop performance despite unfavorable weather forecasts.