Smallholder irrigation schemes benefit thousands

Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

A total of 460 smallholder irrigation schemes have been set up by the Government on 26 173ha, benefiting 35 585 households as part of a programme to enhance farmers’ income while ensuring efficient water resource management in the face of climate challenge.

Presently, 19 264 hectares of the equipped area are functional, representing 74 percent of the total, with 15 859 hectares fully operational and 3 405 hectares partially operational.

The distribution of beneficiaries across all regions showcases the broad impact of these irrigation schemes.

In Manicaland, there are 9 257 farmers on 67 schemes irrigating 5 683ha; Mashonaland West 2 287 farmers on 50 schemes covering 1 553ha; Matabeleland North 1 250 farmers on 33 schemes and 1 161ha; Mashonaland East 1 594 farmers on 56 schemes and 2 933 hectares; Midlands 3 719 farmers on 56 schemes and 1 821ha; Masvingo 8 172 farmers on 73 schemes and 4 168 hectares; Mashonaland Central 2 594 farmers on 49 schemes and 5 218ha and Matabeleland South 6 712 farmers on 74 schemes and 2 945 hectares.

The figures illustrate the broad reach of the irrigation schemes, significantly contributing to rural livelihoods.

Launched by President Mnangagwa in 2021, the Vision 2030 accelerator model focuses on equipping rural, urban, and peri-urban households with agribusiness skills and support, ensuring that their farming enterprises are self-sustaining and profitable.

This model supports the rural industrialisation drive and the establishment of the 35 000 village business units, 9 600 school business units, and 68 vocational training centre business units.

Each village unit is a company equipped with a solar-powered borehole, linked to aggregation and value addition centres, fostering local economic development.

Government is making significant strides in enhancing food security through the construction of major dams.

Presently, six dams completed since the advent of the Second Republic can irrigate 56 650 hectares, underscoring the Government’s commitment to scaling up irrigation development.

Notable projects include Tugwi Mukosi in Masvingo, which has the potential to irrigate 40 000 hectares in Chivi and Chiredzi, and Marovanyati in Manicaland, expected to irrigate 1 250 hectares in Buhera. Muchekeranwa dam in Mashonaland East is capable of irrigating 1 400 hectares, Mutirikwi 3 000 hectares, Biri 4 000 hectares and Lilstock 7 000 hectares.

In addition to these completed projects, the Government is investing in ongoing dam construction, with new projects expected to irrigate an additional 38 953 hectares.

Significant among these are Semwa dam in Mashonaland Central, anticipated to irrigate 12 000 hectares, and Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Matabeleland North expected to cover 10 000 hectares.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos called for the need to adopt climate-smart irrigation as a countermeasure to climate change, noting that climate change poses significant risks to agriculture.

“Climate change is with us and damaging our country. The start is to ensure that we move away from rain-fed agriculture to climate-smart irrigation development.

“This is our ministry’s primary concern right now for the next two to three years,” he said.

The Government recognises that with approximately 230 000 hectares under irrigation, expanding this capacity is essential.

The goal is to develop an additional 270 000 hectares for agricultural use, focusing on cereal crops to bolster food self-sufficiency, with projections indicating that these efforts could yield approximately two million tonnes of cereal.

Government’s initiatives to enhance irrigation infrastructure and promote climate-smart practices are crucial for improving food security and resilience against climate shocks.

The establishment of village business units will further support rural development by providing local communities with the resources they need to thrive.

The Government has committed to sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting Zimbabwe’s successes in conservation agriculture and mechanisation, which have garnered regional attention.