Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
FARMERS at small-holder irrigation schemes have been urged to scale up their operations for them to be upgraded to business models under the Vision 2030 accelerator model.
The Vision 2030 Accelerator Model was launched at Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme in Matabeleland North by President Mnangagwa in September 2021 to stimulate rural industrialisation as part of the Second Republic’s drive to scale up agricultural transformation.
The model which is being replicated in 460 irrigation schemes across the country has so far been implemented in 329 schemes.
The upgrade to business model units will result in irrigation schemes being transformed from subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture in line with the thrust of the Rural Development 8.0 model.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development launched the Rural Development 8.0 model aimed at eradicating poverty in all its forms, including food and water poverty through an “agricultural development-rural industrialisation-rural Development-Vision 2030 nexus”.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Midlands provincial director of the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services Mrs Medeline Magwenzi during irrigation prize-giving ceremonies for Matabeleland North and South provinces, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said small-holder irrigation schemes are critical in terms of boosting agricultural production.
“Irrigation is a critical component of agricultural production and a key driver of economic growth and development. Getting agriculture right will subsequently breathe life into upstream industries directly and indirectly linked to the sector,” he said.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It continues to occupy a dominant role in the recovery of our economy and accounts for the livelihoods of 67 percent of our population, which lives in rural areas as smallholder farmers.”
Prof Jiri said irrigation schemes are an invaluable tool in the fight against the adverse effects of El Nino, which have seen most farmers in Matabeleland South losing livestock. He said the Government has embarked on several smart agriculture initiatives to ensure continued national food security in the light of climate change and to build resilience in most rural communities in arid and semi-arid areas.
Prof Jiri said the Government is committed to the refurbishment of irrigation schemes.
“Government has put in place plans to rehabilitate 460 irrigation schemes covering 26 000hectares and the target is to reach 350 000 hectares by 2025. Efforts in irrigation rehabilitation and development are bearing fruits and the area under irrigation has significantly increased,” he said.
Prof Jiri said Government has adopted a policy position for all irrigation schemes to adopt the “scheme business manager model”, which has all schemes being led by an ARDA business manager and supported by other ministry institutions.
“I urge farmers to support this management design which aims to ensure that the irrigation schemes are run as profitable businesses,” he said.
Under the Second Republic, Government is prioritising the revival of the agricultural sector through the development of irrigation schemes to alleviate food insecurity and poverty, particularly in rural communities. — @DubeMatutu
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