Presidential inputs beneficiaries mobilise 3 455 tonnes of grain

Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

FARMERS who benefited from the Presidential Inputs Scheme have so far mobilised 3 455 tonnes of grain under the Government’s 10kg contribution programme, with beneficiaries responding to calls to give back a portion of their harvest following the support they received during the 2025/26 farming season.

The initiative requires each beneficiary of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme to deliver 10kg of grain to designated Grain Marketing Board (GMB) collection points.

According to the latest Agricultural Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) weekly report, 3 455.340 tonnes have been collected from 5 445.340 tonnes mobilised so far.

Provinces, traditional leaders and Agricultural Business Advisory Officers (ABAOs) are mobilising farmers.

Government has been encouraging farmers to participate in the programme, while the grain will also help build stocks that can be used to assist vulnerable people during future droughts.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Development, Professor Obert Jiri said the contribution is a way for beneficiaries to reciprocate the assistance provided by Government.

“After the vulnerable beneficiaries got support from the President during the devastating El Niño-induced drought, they now need to deliver the 10kg of grain as a gesture of appreciation to His Excellency, as well as contribute to the Strategic Grain Reserve,” said Prof Jiri.

“Every beneficiary is expected to deliver 10kg of grain, be it maize or wheat, and have their names recorded. In the event of a drought in the near future, those who would have given back to Government will be given first preference,” he said.

Farmers have welcomed the initiative, describing the 10kg contribution as a manageable gesture of appreciation for the Government support that enabled them to produce despite difficult conditions.

For many beneficiaries, the programme has also created an opportunity to return a small portion of their harvest to a system that could provide support to vulnerable households when production is affected by drought.

The grain contribution comes as the Government continues to monitor the country’s post-harvest position, with harvesting of maize, soybean and traditional grain crops now complete across all provinces.

Verification of the harvest is currently underway in preparation for the Post-Harvest Survey.

Meanwhile, farmers growing winter wheat are being encouraged to maximise productivity through adherence to good agricultural practices, including effective nutrient management, timely weed control, efficient irrigation scheduling and proper pest and disease management.

Regular crop scouting is also being encouraged, with harvesting of early-planted wheat expected to commence within the next few weeks.