adminAgriculture Reporter
GOVERNMENT, private sector and donor agencies should invest in the procurement of cheap irrigation technologies to mitigate the negative impact of climate vagaries spurring droughts which has made about 80 percent of the country unsuitable for cropping. Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Mr Paul Zakariya, recently told The Manica Post in a wide-ranging interview that irrigation, unlike rain-fed agriculture, was the only way through which Zimbabwe can sustain her livelihoods, food and nutritional security.
“That is the only way to go in this era of climate change. We need as a nation to recognise that climate change is real and we need to innovate and accelerate the adoption of cheap irrigation technologies to halt its negative effect,” said Mr Zakariya.
“Temperatures are increasing daily, and our water resources are being stressed. We need to come up with sustainable water harvesting technologies given the increasing demand and pressure on the already scarce water resources. Droughts have become common in Zimbabwe. We need to accelerate the adoption of irrigation technologies that ensure efficient application of water to crops,” said Mr Zakariya.
Zimbabwe can prioritise cheap technologies such as drip irrigation, centre pivot, self propelled irrigation systems and small green houses. Mr Zakariya’s comment were echoed by Agriculture Minister, Dr Joseph Made, who said Government was working hand-in-glove with irrigation experts from Israel, Brazil, India, China, Austria, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Belarus, Egypt, Iran and Italy.
Zimbabwe has the capacity to irrigate 2 244 800 hectares, but only about 206 000ha is equipped, of which 150 000ha is currently irrigating. 154 500ha fall in the commercial subsector, while 51 500ha fall in the communal subsector.
The communal irrigation sector with a total equipped area of approximately 10 000ha is the most affected and vulnerable having less than 65 percent of the schemes fully functional.
“It is therefore a fact that in these turbulent times with apparent climate variation and change, irrigated farming has a critical role in promotion of sustainable livelihoods and food security in the country,” said Dr Made.
Online Reporter