Theseus Mauruki Shambare
THE Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are targeting close to 150 000 smallholder farmers and rural households through irrigation development and horticultural projects aimed at accelerating agricultural commercialisation, strengthening climate resilience and improving rural livelihoods.
The initiative builds on the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP), which is already reaching close to 80 000 farmers across five provinces, while the forthcoming Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP) is expected to benefit approximately 70 000 additional households.
The five provinces are Mashonaland Central covering Mt Darwin, Muzarabani, Rushinga and Shamva; Mashonaland East operating in Goromonzi, Murehwa, UMP and Mutoko; Mashonaland West in Chegutu, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Sanya and Zvimba; Matabeleland North covering Binga, Hwange, Lupane and Nkayi.
In Midlands, the project covers Kwekwe and Chirumhanzu.
In his speech delivered by IFAD country liaison officer for Zimbabwe, Ms Joylyn Ndoro, at the 2026 World Food Day commemorations at Chitora Irrigation Scheme in Mutoko on Saturday, country director Mr Francesco Rispoli, who represented IFAD, said investments in irrigation, agricultural skills, markets and financing were critical in transforming smallholder farming into viable rural businesses.
The commemorations held under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, were organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development in partnership with IFAD, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Mr Rispoli said Chitora demonstrated the importance of combining reliable water supplies, organised farmers, market access and financing.
“What you see here today speaks for itself: reliable water, organised farmers, and produce moving to market.
‘‘Chitora shows that when water, skills, markets and finance come together in one place, a smallholder farm stops being only a means of survival and becomes a viable rural business,” he said.
SACP is rehabilitating irrigation schemes and feeder roads while supporting farmer organisations across horticulture, poultry and goat value chains.
The project has also established 100 Village Business Units, providing communities with reliable water sources for crop production, household consumption and livestock.
HEEP is expected to reach around 70 000 additional households and finance 620 more VBUs through partnerships involving Government, private companies and producers.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said Chitora had demonstrated how effective farmer coordination and market-oriented production could improve the performance of irrigation schemes.
