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Gibson Mhaka

THE sun beats down mercilessly on Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province. Once a canvas of green maize stalks, the land is now a cracked and thirsty expanse. 

Mr Africa Siziba, a 45-year-old farmer from Jawanda Village under Chief Mawarire in Ward 4 of Mwenezi East, stands with a heavy heart, watching his crops wilt under the relentless glare.

The wind whispers not of rain, but carries a scorching dryness that steals the life from the withering plants. The harsh reality of climate change is etched upon this landscape. It’s devastating effects on livelihoods, health, water and food security are no longer distant threats — they are a brutal present. Mwenezi, like other districts in Masvingo Province, lies in natural regions four and five, making it particularly vulnerable. The last two decades have seen some of the harshest consequences of climate change here, with El Nino’s impact on crop yields this year being a stark example.

This harsh reality hits hardest for villagers who rely on traditional farming methods. They are often the first and most severely impacted by the negative consequences of a changing climate.

“The crops are just giving up in this heat. We haven’t seen real rain in the last two months. All our hard work has gone to waste. The unpredictable weather patterns are making it impossible to farm anymore.

“We’re worried about feeding our families this year. The harvest is going to be terrible. The Government needs to help us. We need drought-resistant seeds and more small grain crops to cope with this changing climate,” lamented Mr Siziba.

Recognising the critical need for change, experts emphasised irrigation agriculture as a vital lifeline for farmers and global food systems.

To address this need and bolster the resilience of rain-fed agriculture for Mr Siziba and his community, the Government partnered with the UNDP on the “Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe” program. This collaboration resulted in the establishment of the 156-hectare Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme in Ward 4 of Mwenezi East.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with US$1,1 million, this project specifically targets vulnerable communities, particularly women, in Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South provinces. Launched in June 2020 and running until June 2027, it aims to strengthen agricultural livelihoods against rising climate risks.

Implemented by Zinwa, Agritex, the Meteorological Services Department, and the Department of Irrigation, the project directly benefits 300 farmers like Mr Siziba, with a good gender balance of 123 women and 177 men.

Studies show that irrigation is a powerful weapon against climate change. It acts as both insurance and shield, protecting farmers and food systems from unpredictable weather and drought, ensuring a steady food supply. Additionally, irrigation empowers farmers to diversify crops and extend growing seasons, further strengthening food security.

For developing countries like Zimbabwe facing food insecurity due to El Niño, irrigation development is a game-changer. President Mnangagwa declared the 2023-2024 season a state of disaster due to El Niño’s impact, highlighting the urgent need for such solutions.

The Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme, expected to be fully operational next year, brings together farmers from Pikinini and Jawanda villages according to its chairman, Mr Chizivano Shava (56).

“The project combines two villages, Pikinini and Jawanda. Our irrigation scheme covers 156 hectares and has 300 members, including 123 women and 177 men. Three of our members are orphans and some lack identification documents. We represent them in the project. We also have five elderly members and 15 widows.

“As beneficiaries, we’re actively clearing the land. We’re about 80 percent done, but we need a donation in the form of a fence. Currently, we’re using the branches from the cleared trees as a temporary measure,” said Mr Shava.

He adds: “Our development has lagged because the Manyuchi Dam, our water source, was built in 1985. Although irrigation was proposed around 1987, it never materialised. We’ve seen communities in chiefs Maranda, Murove and Neshuro benefiting from the dam for years.

“Thankfully, this partnership between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) means we’re no more going to be left behind.”

Another beneficiary Ms Alice Sandako lauded the irrigation scheme, highlighting how climate change was making farming conditions in their area increasingly difficult.

“The temperatures were so high that our maize crop could not survive. It wasn’t just us humans who suffered — our livestock did too, with dwindling water supplies and depleted grazing lands. This irrigation scheme is a game-changer. It will not only improve food security but also empower us — women economically,” said Ms Sandako.

With extreme weather events — scorching temperatures, erratic and scarce rainfall, and intense sunshine — experts predict dwindling water and resource supplies to become the new normal. This will worsen the already precarious situation of smallholder farmers like those from Mwenezi District.

Chief Mawarire (81) born Elliot Jawanda expressed gratitude for the irrigation scheme saying it was key to building resilience against climate change effects.

“The availability of water allows us to fully engage in irrigation farming, boosting food security, eradicating poverty and building resilience against climate change impacts,” he said.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development acting director of communications and advocacy Mrs Barbara Machekano, said the Government’s thrust was to develop smallholder irrigation schemes in the country.

“The Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy incorporates the accelerated rehabilitation and development plan in which dam construction is accompanied by irrigation development. With Zimbabwe expected to become drier in years ahead due to climate change, acceleration of irrigation rehabilitation and development is required to sustain production of crops, fisheries and livestock to meet local and increasing export demands,” she said.

Mrs Machekano said the ministry aims to increase the number of irrigated hectares through smallholder irrigation schemes to ensure food security for the nation.

“We rely heavily on rural households and subsistence farmers and promoting these farmers is crucial for achieving food security. The ministry is currently constructing 13 dams to provide sufficient irrigation water for surrounding communities,” she said.

She said the Government was working to transform 460 rural irrigation schemes into viable business units under the Vision 2030 Accelerator Model which also aims to increase the area under irrigation from 203 000 ha to 350 000 ha.

Provincial focal person for GCF projects in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Masvingo Province, Engineer Rangarirai Mutusva said the project was aimed at addressing food insecurity and supporting the national vision of achieving zero hunger by 2030.

“The Government is undertaking these interventions in arid districts like Mwenezi, where water scarcity is a significant challenge.

“By empowering farmers with access to irrigation, the project will have a substantial impact on surrounding communities, promoting self-sufficiency in food production,” said Eng Mutusva.

UNDP communications associate Mr Anesu Freddy said they were committed to transforming irrigation schemes into profitable ventures that benefit local communities.

“The Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme has three key objectives: firstly, to increase access to water for irrigation; secondly, to improve access to climate information so that farmers can make informed decisions about planting times and crop selection; and thirdly, to train farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices,” said Mr Freddy.

He said the data and research conducted pointed to three specific provinces of Masvingo, Manicaland, and Matabeleland South as the areas are most severely impacted by climate change in Zimbabwe.

He further said the project’s overall goal was to empower communities in the targeted regions to become more resilient.