Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
THE Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) is rolling out six irrigation projects covering a combined 665,5 hectares in Mashonaland Central as the Government accelerates efforts to expand year-round agricultural production and strengthen food security ahead of a forecast El Niño-induced drought.
The projects, which range from completed schemes to those still at construction and procurement stages, are expected to increase farmers’ access to reliable water and reduce dependence on seasonal rainfall.
The irrigation push comes as the Government steps up climate-resilience measures, with the Agriculture Ministry identifying accelerated climate-smart production and irrigation as one of its key drought mitigation pillars ahead of the 2026/27 agricultural season.
The Government is also seeking to unlock an additional 250 000 to 300 000 hectares under irrigation over the next two years, according to the Agriculture Ministry, placing the Mashonaland Central projects within a broader national drive to expand water-controlled agriculture.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said two of the six projects, covering 97.5ha, had already been completed and were operational.
“The 45-hectare Dotito Irrigation Scheme has been completed, where farmers are already using the infrastructure to irrigate their crops,” Prof Jiri said.
“The 52.5-hectare Chimhanda Irrigation Project has also reached 100 percent completion. The project has been officially certified and is now operational, with farmers actively utilising the irrigation system.”
The two operational schemes account for about 15 percent of the total 665.5ha covered by the projects.
A further 120ha Maparo Irrigation Project is 75 percent complete, with installation of irrigation pivots still outstanding.
“Meanwhile, work is progressing on the larger 360-hectare Negomo Phase 1 project, which is expected to further expand irrigation capacity and agricultural production in the province,” Prof Jiri said.
Two other community irrigation projects — the 66ha Mudotwe scheme and 22ha Rukunguwo scheme — have undergone site handovers and are now moving through procurement.
The projects are being supported through resources channelled to the Irrigation Development Fund under Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, with the AFC Land and Development Bank administering the fund while AMA provides administrative and project oversight.
The latest projects add to Government’s wider irrigation development programme, whose stated objective is to develop potential irrigation land into functional, water-efficient and labour-saving systems.
Prof Jiri said the expansion would enable farmers to cultivate beyond the traditional rainy season, potentially increasing productivity, household incomes and the availability of food and cash crops.
For Mashonaland Central, the projects represent a combined 665,5ha pipeline of irrigation infrastructure, with 97,5ha already operational and the remainder at different stages of development.
