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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT, working with development partners, is rehabilitating 12 irrigation schemes in Matabeleland South Province as part of efforts to boost food security in the semi-arid province largely characterised by a low rainfall pattern.

Presenting the food and nutrition cluster report during a Matabeleland South Provincial Development Committee meeting last Thursday, Agriculture Advisory and Rural Development Services’ Matabeleland South provincial deputy director, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said more irrigation schemes will be placed under production during the summer cropping season.

Under the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) led Enhanced Resilience for Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe (ERVHIZ) project, 10 irrigation schemes with a total hectarage of 157ha are being rehabilitated and they include Bili, Tshankwa, Somnene, Aluwani, Mtetengwe, Ndambe, Paswane, Mbembeswane, Mambale and Thuli Shumba. Under the Small Holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) work is underway to rehabilitate Rustlers Gorge Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District.

The 38-hectare Masiyephambili Irrigation Scheme in Umzingwane District is being rehabilitated under the Global Climate Fund and work is set to be completed in December.

Matabeleland South has 37 communal irrigation schemes and most of them are currently operating at below half of their capacity. Government seeks to expand the irrigation schemes as a way of boosting food production. The rehabilitation of irrigation schemes involves upgrading the water system.

“As a province, we have seen rehabilitation, establishment and revitalisation of a number of schemes to address food security. We have three partners who are funding irrigation development in the province and they are FAO through ERVHIZ programme, SIRP through Ifad and UNDP,” said Mr Ndlovu.

“A number of irrigation schemes are in various stages of rehabilitation. We expect new irrigation schemes to be put under production this coming summer cropping season thereby boosting food security in the province.”

Bambanani Irrigation Scheme, which is 114 ha was recently rehabilitated while the revitalisation of the 10-hectare Midlo Irrigation Scheme is near completion. Farmers are expected to start land preparation and a perimeter fence is set to be erected.

“Masholomoshe Irrigation Scheme, which is 16 ha in total is also set to start producing soon,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Under the Sirp Bambanani Irrigation Scheme, which is 111ha has been rehabilitated with farmers expected to plant their first crop this summer. Mankonkoni Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda was recently rehabilitated under Sirp and farmers have planted winter crop.

Sebasa, Guyu and Tshikwalakwala irrigation schemes were revitalised in 2022 while Makwe, Valley and Silalatshani Irrigation Schemes were rehabilitated last year under Sirp.

“Irrigation schemes which have been rehabilitated under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) include Masholomoshe and Midlo, Masiyephambili and Mzinyathini. Masholomoshe Irrigation Scheme was recently rehabilitated under the Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Africa,” said Mr Ndlovu.

“The programme is being implemented by Government through Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in partnership with Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under has come in to capacitate the scheme.”

Government has also capacitated farmers with inputs through various programmes to ensure to boost productivity.—@DubeMatutu