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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE government has come up with a policy that promotes irrigation farming as a way of adapting to the effects of climate change, the Minister of State for National Security Cde Kembo Mohadi has said.

The Minister made the remarks at River Ranch irrigation scheme on Friday while commissioning nine tractors and other agricultural equipment that was sourced under the More Food for Africa Programme.

The implements were given to communities on a cost recovery basis.

The beneficiaries will pay for the implements over 15 years and the money will be used to service the government to government loan sourced from Brazil to buy the implements.

Cde Mohadi said the government had adopted a deliberate policy of setting up irrigation schemes.

“The effects of climate change are enormous and it’s important to adapt. You’ll realise that seasons are changing and we can’t solely depend on the normal rainfall patterns for farming,” he said.

“Our target as government is to ensure that irrigation schemes are well equipped and that by the year 2018 at least 75 percent of our citizens can sustain themselves through cultivating crops under irrigation.”

He said the More Food for Africa Programme was in line with the government’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset’s cluster dealing with food security.

Cde Mohadi said the programme was being implemented in two phases.

He said those who did not receive the farming implements should not despair since they will benefit in the second phase.

“The various implements including tractors and irrigation equipment were allocated to Shashe, Bili, Kwalu, Jalukange, Tshikwalakwala, River Ranch, and Tongwe irrigation schemes,” said Cde Mohadi.

He said the programme was meant to benefit all Zimbabweans regardless of their political affiliation.

The Minister called for collective efforts between agricultural experts, the government and communities to make the country’s agrarian reform a success.

Speaking during the same event, Beitbridge senator, Cde Tambudzani Mohadi urged the beneficiaries to put the farming implements to good use and produce enough for themselves and the nation.

She said the government was also courting other development partners to ensure that major irrigation schemes in the country and especially those in drought prone areas are resuscitated.