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Minister Patrick Chinamasa

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
THE government is targeting rehabilitating and equipping at least 15 irrigation schemes countrywide this year as it moves to boost food production and security in the light of the effects of climate change.Finance and Economic Development Minister, Patrick Chinamasa allocated $4.4 million for the development and rehabilitation of communal irrigation schemes in his 2015 national budget statement with an additional $1.5 million being earmarked for feasibility studies and other institutional strengthening activities.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Davison Marapira said the revamping of irrigation schemes would commence as soon as Treasury avails the funding.

“Last year we rehabilitated 15 irrigation schemes across the country through government funding and this year we want to rehabilitate the same number of irrigation projects. It’s only that resources aren’t permitting but we would’ve wanted to rehabilitate 30 irrigation projects,” said Marapira.

“As government we believe irrigation projects will go a long way in ensuring food security for the country especially if you look at the erratic rains the country has been receiving as a result of climate change.”

As part of efforts to rehabilitate the country’s irrigation infrastructure, the government announced that it would channel part of the €234 million secured through the European Union (EU) to the agricultural sector particularly towards development and resuscitation of irrigation infrastructure.

The country and EU signed an agreement to resume development assistance through treasury for the first time since 2002, which will see €88 million being channelled to agriculture.

Thirty-six irrigation projects covering 3,060 hectares are expected to benefit from another grant extended by Brazil under the “More Food Africa” programme.

The $98 million loan facility was extended to the country late last year.