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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT has roped in partners to roll out smart irrigation technology systems across the country, as part of efforts to boost food production in communities and mitigate the adverse impact of climate change.

The use of floating pontoons to pump water from dams to irrigation schemes is being adopted as it enables maximum utilisation of available water. This allows productivity to progress even when there is little water in the dam as the pumps will go lower to abstract water from that level.

Speaking during a tour of the recently established Pikinini Jawanda Irrigation Scheme in Mwenezi District of Masvingo, the provincial director of irrigation development and global climate fund, Mr Rangarirai Mtusva, said their target was to implement water conserving systems and farming systems that are climate-friendly and affordable to farmers.

Already a floating pontoon has been installed at Manyuchi Dam, which supplies the irrigation scheme under a programme being spearheaded by the Government through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in partnership with the Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

Anchored on “Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Africa” the programme is being implemented under a budget of US$1,1 million and aims to put 156 hectares under irrigation.

The funds were used to develop infrastructure such as the installation of water pipes and pumps, installation of a floating pontoon and purchase of centre pivots, with farmers set to start putting their first crop this winter.

“As far as climate change is concerned, Government is strengthening the introduction of smart irrigation systems such as the drip irrigation system, centre pivots, solar-powered boreholes, among others and here we are seeing a floating pontoon,” said Mr Mtusva.

“Nationwide, we have a very limited number of these pontoons at our irrigation schemes, but we now want to see them being used across the country.

“This system is very effective because when low rains are received the pontoon can pump water even when the dam water is at low level.”

He said the target was to ensure that farmers move away from water-wasting systems such as the flood irrigation system, adding that partners were also excited by the technological shift. 

Mr Mtusva said all irrigation schemes were supposed to be solarised to fight productivity challenges caused by power cuts, hence some irrigation schemes are now operating with hybrid systems of both electricity and solar energy.

“The aim is to ensure that farmers adopt smart irrigation systems so that they realise maximum production even during seasons with low rainfall. We also want to make farming convenient for communities,” he said.

“That’s why we have systems like the centre pivots. Farmers have to ensure that they fully utilise these resources given to them, as they have a critical role to play in ensuring food and nutrition security.”

Government has been working with various partners to scale up the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes that have been lying idle in the country and established new ones to improve food and nutrition security in line with Vision 2030 ideals.

Support has also been extended to the provision of critical inputs through various programmes to ensure maximum production. 

Farmers have received training on how to run their schemes as businesses and they have been equipped with mechanisms for improved production.

Zimbabwe is targeting to rehabilitate and develop 350 000 hectares of land by 2025 across the country, to safeguard the country against the negative effects of climate change and ensure food security. —@DubeMatutu