Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE has set an ambitious target to develop 496 000 hectares under irrigation by 2030 as part of a major drive to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture and strengthen national food security.
The irrigation expansion, a key pillar of the National Development Strategy, is expected to boost agricultural production, improve climate resilience and anchor economic growth.
The Government has mandated the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to spearhead irrigation infrastructure development following a 2020 policy shift that expanded the parastatal’s role.
Zinwa has since rolled out several projects nationwide, with more in the pipeline. Zinwa head of corporate communications and marketing, Marjorie Munyonga, said the authority has earmarked 4 040 hectares for irrigation development between 2026 and 2030.
She said Zinwa is also implementing projects under the Agricultural Marketing Authority, where US$4,6 million has been set aside to deliver 100 hectares of irrigated land within the next three months.
“We are implementing centre pivot irrigation systems because they are robust, user-friendly and cost-effective,” she said.
Among the projects underway are the 120-hectare Chivhu Irrigation Scheme and the 100-hectare Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga.
The authority is also implementing the A1 Irrigation Productivity Booster Kits programme, under which the 300-hectare Craigengower Project in Mashonaland Central has already been completed.
Other projects being implemented include Kanyembae (176ha), Laverstock in Manicaland (80ha), Moorfields in Mashonaland Central (120ha), Milsonia in Midlands (50ha) and Yomba (300ha).
In addition to infrastructure development, Zinwa is mandated to supply irrigation water from the country’s dams, with allocations for the 2026 season already underway following the end of the rainy season on March 31.
Under the Water Act, farmers intending to draw water from Zinwa-managed dams are required to sign abstraction agreements with the authority.
“The agreements provide for the water volumes due to each farmer and the time such water is due, to guide water releases from the dams. Farmers are responsible for collecting their water from the abstraction points stated in the agreements,” said Munyonga.
She said current dam levels are sufficient to meet anticipated irrigation demand.
On how the authority balances competing water needs, Munyonga said allocation is guided by principles of equity and integrated water resources management.
“Water resource management is done based on the principles of equity and integrated water resources management, in which the sustenance of human life is of paramount importance,” she said.
“These principles also recognise the environment as a key water user, as water releases are also done for environmental needs.”
However, funding constraints remain a major challenge, with the Government unable to finance the entire 496 000-hectare target on its own, prompting increased private sector participation.
One of the largest irrigation initiatives is the Chisumbanje scheme in Manicaland, a joint venture between Green Fuel and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA).
The project currently covers 14 500 hectares under sugar cane irrigation and has transformed ARDA’s Chisumbanje and Middle Sabi estates into large-scale mechanised farming operations since its launch in 2009.
The joint venture plans to expand the irrigated area to 15 000 hectares by the end of 2026, with long-term plans to reach 40 000 hectares.
