Govt to push for irrigation development
THE Government will continue to push irrigation development in rural areas through the Nation Irrigation Development Programme which targets to develop 200 hectares per district in the next 10 years.
In a speech read on his behalf by one of his deputies, Douglas Karoro at Insukamini Irrigation Scheme in Lower Gweru last week, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri said irrigation was the way to go to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“In light of climate change that has seen the country experiencing more frequent droughts, Government will continue to push forward with irrigation development in rural areas through the National Irrigation Development Programme. The target is to develop 200 hectares per district per year over the next 10 years. Irrigation is one of the strategies that Government is using to sustainably increase production so as to increase farmers’ incomes and reduce rural poverty and ensure national and household food security while reducing the grain import bill in the face of climate change.”
Minister Shiri said to date it is estimated that the country has 210 000 hectors of developed irrigation facilities of which 175 000ha are operational.
“Of this developed irrigation area, there are over 400 communal and A1 irrigation schemes with more than 27 000 beneficiaries,” he said.
The Government, he said, maintained 13 000 hectors of smallholder irrigation schemes with substantial amount of work going towards irrigation rehabilitation and development. Minister Shiri said there were several irrigation programmes being implemented which include public sector investment programme, Command Agriculture, more food for Africa Brazil-Zimbabwe, and smallholder irrigation revitalisation programmes.
“All these programmes are a tremendous effort by Government and its development partners to improve agriculture and productivity.”
Minister Shiri said through the national irrigation competition, Government has set in motion a new growth path for irrigation development that emphasise sustainable production and productivity on irrigation schemes.
“Government is keen to sustain these competitions and would like to encourage the corporate world to dig deeper and increase funding, particularly for prices.” he said.
Minister Shiri commended Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) for enhancing cohesion and team work through conflict transformation and organisation development which saw Insukamini Irrigation Scheme getting back to its feet after years of hibernation because of conflicts.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima in a speech read on his behalf by the director in his office Mr Charles Mutimbairi said irrigation schemes were vital in the provision of food security and nutrition. He said they also provided employment.
“Government is committed to seeing the revival of irrigation schemes and such competitions are good as they push members to work hard in their schemes thereby improving food security and nutrition in their areas and the country at large,” he said.
National irrigation competition is done annually to come up with the best well managed and productive scheme in the country.
The competition considers efficient use of water, energy, management, climate change, and production which saw Insukamini Irrigation Scheme in Midlands take first position at the national level. The scheme with 125 members won $30 000 and farming inputs from different agro dealers.