daniel chigunwe
Patrick Chitumba
Midlands Bureau Chief
ABOUT 19 000 hectares have been put under irrigation in the Midlands as the Second Republic moves to climate-proof the country’s agriculture sector from the effects of climate change.
Last year, land under irrigation was 18 769 ha which has since increased to 19 023 ha through funding from the Government, the Public Sector Investment Programme, Pedstock and More Food for Africa as well as other development partners.
The country is moving away from total reliance on rain-fed agriculture as a strategy to counter the impact of climate change.
The new approach has seen communal farmers being the biggest winners as they are now growing crops throughout the year and in the process making more money to improve their livelihoods.
The hectares under operational irrigation schemes now represents 58 percent of the targeted 350 000 ha by 2025.
This milestone achievement comes at a time when the Department of Meteorological Services has predicted that Zimbabwe is likely to experience normal to below normal rainfall in the coming cropping season due to the El Niño phenomenon.
Midlands provincial irrigation engineer Shingirai Zano said the hectarage under irrigation in the Midlands province increased by 253 ha this year compared to last year, owning to the rehabilitation of some schemes and establishment of new ones.
“Last year, the area under irrigation in the Midlands province stood at 18 769 ha and this year, it has increased to 19 023 ha and this is attributed to the rehabilitation, expansion and revitalisation of irrigation schemes across the eight administrative districts,” said Eng Zano.
He said Zvishavane has 336 ha, Shurugwi 524 ha, Mberengwa 431, Kwekwe 15 624, Mvuma 374, Gweru 1 432, Gokwe North and South 302 ha.
Eng Zano said the hectarage targeted under irrigation for Midlands Province is 22 223 hectares and this is based on the irrigation potential of existing water bodies in the province.
Midlands Province has 35 viable irrigation schemes which are benefiting thousands of villagers.
“In the Midlands, we have Chemahororo irrigation scheme (10 ha) Chaora (180 ha), Mabwematema (640 ha) Nyaje (10 ha) Milsonia (20 ha) Igogo Takawira (54 ha), Sengwa (50 ha) and Vukuzenzele (60ha) and all are under PSIP, “ said Eng Zano.
Others are Bannockburn (93 ha) Biri Old (38 ha) Chamakudo (208ha) Mambanjeni (85 ha) and Mbembeswane 1(90 ha) and these are under SIRP/Government.
Eng Zano said challenges limiting the viability of irrigation schemes include low dam water levels and pump breakdowns.
“The hectarage under irrigation is expanding due to the ongoing establishment of new irrigation schemes and rehabilitation of existing ones. Funding is from Government under the Public Sector Investment Programme, Pedstock and More Food for Africa as well as development partners such as IFAD Smallholder Irrigation Revitalization Programme,” he said.
Online Reporter