TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
At least 20 000 youths and women are set to receive inputs under the Intwasa/Pfumvudza Presidential distribution in Bulawayo Province,Business Times can report.
Government has set aside ZWL$152m for the transportation of inputs from GMB depots to collection centres across the country.
This was revealed by the Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Minister, Judith Ncube, who spoke at a Pfumvudza meeting held in Bulawayo last week.
“Pfumvudza /Intwasa promotes urban agriculture to increase crop and livestock production to enhance food security and socio-economic development.
“ We commend Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development for coming up with an agriculture and food systems transformation strategy and support.
I am confident that the massive uptake of Pfumvudza which is earmarked at supporting 20 000 youths and women will go a long way in a developing robust agriculture base in Bulawayo province to ensure food security and nutrition that will contribute to the national development,”Ncube said.
She added: “ As we are all aware that the urban population is experiencing a rapid population growth, there is need to intensively utilize the available agriculture the available agriculture land through implementing sustainable techniques like Pfumvudza /Intwasa.
“Poor farming techniques and continuous burning of grass and maize stalk have resulted in destruction of property, soil structure and quality resulting in acute food and nutrition insecurity and low income at house level.”
She said in 2020 /2021 season more than 1.1 million household across the country received inputs under the government funded Pfumvudza /Intwasa program.
“ In line with National Development Strategy 1, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has developed the agricultural and food systems transformation strategy which seeks to develop a robust agriculture sector that will turnaround the economy and achieve food and nutrition security. In 2020/2021 season more than 1.1 million household across the country received inputs under the government funded Pfumvudza /Intwasa program. The promise of of good season in the 2021/2022 has brought hopes for another good season, “she said.
