Kudos to Govt irrigation prioritisation

EDITOR — The Government has long touted irrigation schemes as key infrastructure that could boost agricultural production in the country. However, financing such projects has been tough due to financial crisis bedevilling the country.

Farmers countrywide have suffered a heavy blow from erratic which have left farmers in drier regions of the country accruing and counting huge losses. It is for this reason that Government has decided to invest in irrigation infrastructure to enhance food security.

Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri is currently on tour of irrigation schemes across the country to assess their needs and progress.

Minister Shiri has revealed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration will identify and set up 200 hectares to irrigate in each district. He has also indicated that Government will bring needed irrigation equipment to support the schemes.

The minister indicated last week that Government is expecting tractors and centre pivots from Brazil under the Brazil More Food for Africa.

Minister Shiri also highlighted that the new dispensation will make sure that all water bodies across the country will be utilised for irrigation purposes.

More dams like Marovanyati and Causeway in Manicaland are being constructed specifically for irrigation.

Zimbabwe, once Africa`s bread basket, has been hit by acute food insecurity in recent years save for last year due to erratic rains, coupled with poor farming infrastructure and low levels of investment in the sector. Thank you.