adminDumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Government will issue a directive to Zesa and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to reconnect supplies to irrigation schemes and individual farmers selected to participate in the Command Agriculture Programme aimed at enhancing the country’s food security.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said the two parastatals would be instructed to offer agricultural enterprises and farmers that have been identified to participate under Government’s $500 million Command Agricultural programme, which aims to produce two million tonnes of maize from 400 000 hectares, a reprieve from their outstanding bills.
“As long as an irrigation scheme or a farmer has been registered with the Command Agriculture Programme and has had its power or water supply cut for owing Zesa and Zinwa respectively, the Government will instruct the two entities to connect them as long as there is adequate water to irrigate the crop. Anyway Zesa and Zinwa play a supportive role in ensuring the success of this programme,” he said.
The programme would see Government-supported crop production schemes in which farmers offer their land and are given inputs.
In turn, they surrender half of the expected 10-tonne-per-hectare yield.
Prime cropping provinces of Mashonaland East, West and Central Provinces are the main targets for the scheme, with parts of Midlands and Manicaland also being considered.
Matabeleland region is also expected to play a part though the area is predominantly dry.
According to plans, farms should be near water bodies with each having the capacity to put a minimum of 200 hectares under maize.
Irrigation equipment should be resuscitated and repaired where they are broken down and derelict.
Already the programme has gained momentum and the hype is growing by the day with over 30 000 hectares already having been registered.
Matabeleland South Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) provincial officer, Mr Judia Ncube said more than 2000 hectares in his area of jurisdiction had been registered for the programme as of last week while the verification process had started.
He acknowledged that there were a number of irrigation schemes that had their power and water supplies cut due to non-payment of bills but could not be drawn to divulge them.
“I can’t say which schemes have been disconnected for owing Zesa and Zinwa but they are there but for this programme they will be given a reprieve and made to produce a minimum of five tonnes per hectare, which is the minimum yield but production without interference can see them achieving even 10 tonnes per hectare and then they pay for the inputs provided.
Most schemes perennially owe Zesa and Zinwa because their production yield is always low,” said Mr Ncube.
Matabeleland North Agritex provincial officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni could not be drawn to divulge much on the programme saying the department was still at the verification process.
@DNsingo
Online Reporter