Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau
THE Government, in collaboration with development partners has successfully rehabilitated 10 out of a targeted 21 irrigation schemes in the southern region under the Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe programme.
The programme is spearheaded by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to build resilience among smallholder farmers and rural communities that have been severely affected by the adverse effects of climate change.
In Matabeleland South Province, notable schemes that have been brought back to life include Midlo Irrigation in Matobo and Masholomoshe Irrigation in Gwanda. In Masvingo Province, the newly established 156-hectare Pikinini Jawanda Irrigation Scheme in Mwenezi is already under active production.
Other schemes undergoing rehabilitation include Nyahombe, Zvinyaningwe, Bwanya, Bindamombe, and Chizumba Irrigation Schemes.
At Midlo, 47 farmers have cultivated 2,5 hectares of maize ready for harvest and plan to supply the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). They also have two hectares under sugar beans. At Pikinini Jawanda, 27 hectares are under maize, with preparations underway for winter wheat, sugar beans and chilli production.
Masholomoshe farmers have put 10 hectares under maize and are now preparing land for wheat on their 39-hectare scheme.
UNDP Green Climate Fund project manager Mr Rungano Benza said the irrigation rehabilitation programme is tailored to address both climate adaptation and mitigation in vulnerable communities. The initiative promotes the use of climate-smart irrigation systems such as solar mini-grids, floating pontoons, centre pivots and sprinklers to optimise water use and increase production.
UNDP Green Climate Fund project manager, Mr Rungano Benza said the irrigation development component seeks to address issues of climate change adaptation and mitigation in irrigation schemes.
“Midlo Irrigation Scheme is showing promising signs of growth and farmer-led success. A recent monitoring mission to Pikinini Jawanda has also revealed encouraging progress in both crop development and stakeholder co-ordination,” said Mr Benza.
He said Pikinini Jawanda, which uses a combination of 60 hectares under a centre pivot and 96 hectares serviced by portable sprinklers, is evolving into a model for climate-resilient, smallholder agriculture.
Some of the previously used systems like flood irrigation and syphons were not only labour-intensive but also wasteful in water use, which made them unsustainable in drought-prone regions.
The rehabilitation of these schemes is part of a broader national vision to revitalise irrigation infrastructure that has either collapsed or was underutilised for years. Government, under its Vision 2030 agenda, aims to rehabilitate and develop 350 000 hectares of irrigable land by 2025, as part of efforts to ensure food and nutrition security in the face of frequent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.
Mr Benza said farmers are not only being assisted with infrastructure and inputs but are also undergoing capacity building on how to manage the schemes sustainably and run them as agribusiness enterprises.
“Over the past two months, our collective efforts have continued to make a meaningful impact in advancing climate resilience, gender equality and agricultural development across the country,” he said.
Mr Benza added that the cluster development approach has empowered communities through gender inclusion, financial literacy, and the formation of strong farmer organisations capable of linking with input suppliers and markets.
“From empowering local champions through gender and financial inclusion training, to supporting the formation of strong farmer institutions through the cluster development approach, each activity reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said.
Progress is also being made in Manicaland Province, where Mhakwe, Musirizwi, Farai and Vimbanayi Irrigation Schemes are at various stages of completion. Works are expected to be finalised by August this year.
Through programmes such as Presidential Inputs Scheme, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, and the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation Programme, farmers are being supported with critical production inputs, mechanisation and extension services. -@DubeMatutu
