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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT working with its development partners has invested over US$5 million in the past two years towards revitalising irrigation schemes in Matabeleland South as part of efforts to boost the agricultural sector.

Under the Small Holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) Sebasa, Guyu and Tshikwalakwala were revitalised in 2022 while Makwe, Valley and Silalatshani Irrigation Schemes were revamped last year. US$3,7 million was used for the completed projects.

Works are underway to revive Bambanani, Mankonkoni and Rustlers Gorge irrigation schemes. US$1,4 million has been allocated towards the projects which are underway.

Under the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) led Enhanced Resilience for Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe (ERVHIZ) project 15 irrigation schemes totalling 159 ha have been earmarked for development. Examples include Bili, Mtangamuchena, Tshankwa, Somnene and Thuli Shumba. Irrigation schemes which are being rehabilitated under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) include Masholomoshe, Midlo, Masiyepambili and Mzinyathini irrigation schemes. 

“The Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) in Matabeleland South has managed to rehabilitate various irrigation schemes across the province. The ERVHIZ project funded by FAO is also in the process of rehabilitating irrigation schemes to address the crisis. Green Climate Fund (GCF) has also selected Midlo 20,2 ha, Masholomoshe 38 ha and Mzinyathini 12 ha for rehabilitation. Mtshabezi Irrigation Scheme was established through the Public Sector Investment Programme PSIP,” reads the report.

The province has 37 communal irrigation schemes and the target is to have them all operating at full capacity by 2030. Most of them are operating at below half of their capacity. The target is also aimed at expanding the irrigation schemes to have more area under production.

The rehabilitation and revitalisation works mainly involve upgrading the water system for increased production.

Matabeleland South provincial Agritex officer, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said the rehabilitation works are mainly being done under the SIRP, GCF, FAO programmes and other business partners. He said that for some schemes the works have started while others were at the feasibility study stage.

“As a province, we have seen rehabilitation, establishment and revitalisation of several schemes in the area in a bid to address food security. We have three partners who are funding irrigation development in the province and they are FAO through the ERVHIZ programme, SIRP through IFAD and UNDP through GCF. Several irrigation schemes are under various stages of rehabilitation towards increasing irrigable areas in the province. The area under irrigating    agriculture has significantly increased by 100 percent from 600 ha in 2022 to 1 205 ha in 2023. A2 farmers are also significantly contributing towards irrigation farming.

“Works are underway on several irrigation schemes such as Masholomoshe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda where we are upgrading it from surface water system to overhead where we are putting some centre pivots. We also have Bambanani Irrigation Scheme in Mangwe which is at 80 percent completion. We have secured funding for other irrigation schemes and the actual work has either started or is at feasibility level,” he said.

The Government has not only rehabilitated and revived irrigation schemes but farmers have been capacitated with inputs through various programmes to ensure that they can produce. Farmers have also received training on how to run their schemes as businesses and they have been equipped with mechanisms for improving production.

The Government working with various partners has rehabilitated irrigation schemes that have been lying idle in Matabeleland South Province and established new ones to improve food and nutrition security and ensure the attainment of Vision 2030. Some that were being underutilised have been capacitated and expanded.

Government 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. 

It has also rolled out various agricultural schemes meant to transform subsistence agriculture at the household level into commercial agriculture. 

Furthermore, President Emmerson Mnangagwa under the philosophy “Zimbabwe is open for business” has given investors the green light to partner with local farmers to ensure enhanced production in the schemes.