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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
Government remains committed to revitalising more irrigation schemes as it seeks to ensure food security, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said.
This comes as Government is on course to achieve its target to revamp 450 irrigation schemes across the country with the nation now preparing to be a net exporter of agricultural produce in Southern Africa.
Speaking during the commissioning of Exchange Irrigation Scheme in Silobela recently, Dr Masuka said the country was on course to meet its target of putting an additional 26 000ha under irrigation across the country by 2025.
He said the country already has 350 000 hectares under irrigation.
“The Second Republic launched a robust climate-proofing agenda for agriculture. It is in this context that Government is rehabilitating 450 irrigation schemes covering 26 000 hectares,” he said.
Dr Masuka said given the changing climatic conditions, growing crops under irrigation is the only way the country can be guaranteed food security.
He said Government partnered with some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Small Holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) that will also see the revitalisation of 5 200 hectares on 66 irrigation schemes across the country.
Launched in November 2017, SIRP is a seven-year programme funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Government.
The programme involves rehabilitation of infrastructure at irrigation schemes in Matabeleland South, Manicaland, Masvingo and the Midlands provinces.
Meanwhile, 982 famers in Silobela are benefiting from the rehabilitated Exchange Irrigation Scheme.
Some of the beneficiaries said they are happy that their livelihoods will be improved as they are now able to grow crops throughout the year.
“We experience perennial droughts in Silobela and this irrigation scheme is therefore a huge relief to us.
Government has actually given us new lease of life through this scheme and it’s now up to us to work hard and change our lives,” said Mr Aaron Chimona, a plot holder.
Another beneficiary Ms Melody Maruta said her tomatoes were ready for the market.
“My life has been transformed by this scheme as I now have a source of income,” she said.
Online Reporter