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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
This year Zimbabwe achieved an unprecedented milestone in agricultural production, recording a remarkable wheat harvest of over 555 824 tonnes through the effective management of water resources by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), which implemented strategic irrigation practices across the country.
Following a devastating El Niño-induced drought, ZINWA utilised its extensive network of dams and water stocks from previous seasons to ensure that farmers had adequate water supply, thus supporting the Government’s Wheat-Based Food Security initiative.
ZINWA’s head of corporate communications and marketing Mrs Marjorie Munyonga highlighted the proactive measures taken to ensure that the season becomes successful.
“The Authority instituted a thorough water audit in the dams to ascertain the adequacy of the resource, ensuring a successful season and the achievement of the 120 000-hectare target for wheat,” she said.
Following this audit, ZINWA engaged with farmers’ unions, financiers, and farmers to emphasise the importance of obtaining water abstraction agreements and adhering to them.
“After planting and throughout the whole season, the Authority would regularly monitor water abstractions, including using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to detect and promptly respond to any acts of illegal water usage,” Mrs Munyonga added.
“ZINWA water bailiffs were under strict instruction not to release any water to individuals without water abstraction agreements.”
This approach ensured that all released water was channelled towards legitimate wheat farmers.
To further support wheat production, ZINWA introduced seasonal billing for all wheat farmers, allowing them to access and utilise water during the cropping season and pay only after receiving payments from their financiers or off-takers of their produce through stop order facilities.
Additionally, a reduced tariff of US$10,76 per megalitre for A2 wheat farmers provided further relief, enabling uninterrupted farming activities.
The Government has implemented several measures to ensure the attainment of a wheat target of 600 000 tonnes, surpassing the 360 000 tonnes needed for national annual consumption.
ZESA has also prioritised energy supply to wheat farmers, even during load shedding, encouraging banks and contractors to treat electricity as an essential input.
With adequate seed and fertilisers provided for 120 000 hectares of wheat, and farmers linked to combine harvesters and grain dryers at marketing depots, the outlook for wheat production in Zimbabwe remains promising.
Online Reporter