adminSamuel Kadungure Senior Farming Reporter
Tillage equipment allocated to 18 irrigation schemes in Manicaland under the More Food for Africa Programme is lying idle as the schemes are failing to pay money for its transportation and servicing the loan — due to viability problems. So far only four schemes — Stage 3A (Middle Sabi), Premier, Brooksville (both Mutasa) and Alma (Mutare) — have paid $100 per farmer to take delivery of their allocation, while 14 other schemes that should benefit under the $98 million facility extended by Brazil are struggling to raise the required financial resources despite having been in existence and operation for long.
Stage 3A, which measures 470ha, received five tractors, five disc ploughs, five disc harrows and a fertiliser spreader.
It has 47 farmers.
The 252ha Premier Irrigation Scheme received a tractor, disc plough, disc harrow, planter and fertiliser spreader.
Part of the scheme was destroyed by mining operations.
Brooksville Irrigation Scheme received a tractor, a planter, disc plough, disc harrow and a fertiliser spreader.
Alma Irrigation Scheme has taken delivery of two tractors, two disc ploughs, two disc harrows, two planters and a fertiliser spreader.
Farmers are busy and at different levels of operations at the four schemes.
Some schemes which are earmarked to benefit from that same programme but have not raised money to meet the set minimum requirements include Chibuwe Irrigation Scheme, Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme, Maunganidze Irrigation Scheme and Tawona Irrigation Scheme (Chipinge); Chiduku-Ngove and Chiduku-Tikwiri Irrigation Schemes (Makoni); Marange Irrigation Scheme, Hamamaoko Irrigation Scheme and Arda Transau Irrigation Scheme (Mutare); Dewure Irrigation Scheme in Buhera; Mutambara Irrigation Scheme, Nyanyadzi Irrigation Scheme and Cashel Irrigation Scheme (Chimanimani).
“These 14 schemes have not received equipment that is earmarked for them because they have not made any significant contributions. The schemes should open a bank account where each farmer deposits $100 and so far there has not been significant contribution from the farmers.
“The money will cover the equipment’s transportation expenses and the balance will go towards the repayment of the loan. It is clear that the farmers had no savings and some might fail to raise the money owing to the current economic challenges and the general lack of seriousness.
Their approach is fragmented and bereft of strategic planning and a business approach to farming. The farmers need to be trained and capacitated to take farming as a business,” said a source privy to the developments.
The olive branch by Brazil fits squarely in Zanu-PF Government’s thrust, as enshrined in its economic blue print — the Zim-Asset — to achieve food security and surplus to feed downstream industries.
Most of the schemes are marginalised by banks and receive low returns for their produce — and have been struggling to strengthen livelihoods and shrink rural poverty.
Government’s decision to distribute the first batch of the equipment to irrigation schemes under the More Food for Africa Programme is vital for food security.
However, a large number of the schemes in Manicaland are not economically viable as they are shunned by banks due to lack of collateral security and, in most cases remain the most vulnerable section of the population.
Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme, known for its rich soils and robust farming, was also a recent beneficiary of a $2 million kitty for the rehabilitation and expansion by the Government of Japan.
Nyanyadzi Irrigation Scheme — together with Nenhohwe and Bonde were on the mend following the acquisition of irrigation pumps worth about $800 000 by Government.
The agriculture experts concurred that all schemes in Manicaland need to borrow from the Food and Agriculture Organisation Small Holder Irrigation Support Programme (PAO-SIP) which has a capacity building component that involves training of key stakeholders, farmers and irrigation management committees so that they are able to manage their schemes viably.
Zimbabwe is also getting support from the European Union worth 6 million Euros, targeted at 20 irrigation schemes in Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces while the Swiss Development Cooperation had advanced 6, 3 million euros to rehabilitate eight irrigation schemes in Masvingo province.
FAO, together with the ministry would set up a $48 million facility for advisory services and to assist rural communities fight poverty.
Zimbabwe has capacity to irrigate 2 244 800 hectares.
Despite the existing enormous irrigation development potential in the country, only about 206 000ha is equipped, of which 150 000ha is currently under irrigation.
About 154 500ha fall under the commercial sub-sector while 51 500ha fall under the communal sub-sector.
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.
Zimbabwe is working hand-in-glove with irrigation experts from Israel, Brazil, India, China, Austria, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Belarus, Egypt, Iran and Italy.
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