100 000ha for maize irrigation
Theseus Shambare
THE accelerated rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, under the Quick Fix Irrigation Measures programme, is expected to be concluded this week as the authorities race against time to make at least 100 000 hectares irrigable for maize crop production.
Weather experts warned of the El Niño phenomenon, which typically leads to delayed and below-normal rainfall, to affect the 2023/2024 summer cropping season.
In response, the Government is spending more than million to put “every available irrigable square inch of land” under maize exclusively to ensure the country meets its grain production targets, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said.
In an interview last week, Prof Jiri said rehabilitating dysfunctional and idle irrigation schemes has been prioritised by the Government.
“Irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation is an emergency. Every irrigable square inch of land has to be put under our staple maize without fail before this week ends.
“As proposed by the Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, the process will see a total of 344 500 go towards that.”
Prof Jiri added: “If we manage to put 100 000ha under maize exclusively, we should be able to produce at least 350 000 metric tonnes from that area alone.
All this will be added to our Strategic Grain Reserves to ensure no one will go hungry.”
According to the Quick Fix Irrigation Measures presented by Prof Jiri, a total of 16 458ha have dysfunctional and idle irrigation infrastructure countrywide.
Manicaland will have its infrastructure for 1 653ha rehabilitated at a cost of at least million, while Mashonaland Central province’s, for 5 818ha, needs million.
Mashonaland East will spend million fixing infrastructure for 5 600ha, while Mashonaland West has equipment for 1 400ha that will be repaired at a cost of million.
Masvingo would need
000 to fix equipment that will cater for 323ha. Matabeleland North’s budget for repair of infrastructure meant for 306ha is 000. Matabeleland South was allocated million to fix equipment for while Midlands is getting 000 to deal with infrastructure for 522ha.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services acting director for Crop Production Mr Leonard Munamati encouraged farmers to complement Government’s efforts by utilising rains being received countrywide to plant.
“As the Government races against the targeted 100 000ha for irrigation, farmers need to race with the rains being received in most parts of the country.
“As predicted by the Meteorological Services Department, there are some good rains to be received, so we are encouraging farmers to accelerate planting,” Mr Munamati told The Sunday Mail.
He added that dry planting and short season varieties are recommended for this summer cropping season.
“We continue to urge farmers to go for short-season crop varieties, and those in drier regions to exclusively go for traditional small grains.
“Our season is expected to be shorter and needs crops that mature early,” he said.
For household food security, the Government is distributing inputs under the climate-proofed Presidential Input Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa) based on agro-ecological zones to eliminate the risk of losing crops to the effects of drought.
Farmers from regions 4 and 5 are expected to plant traditional small grains only, while growers in high potential areas are expected to engage in both maize and traditional grains production.
This year, the summer season plan targets cereal production of 3 782 658 tonnes (2 800 000 tonnes of maize, 442 658 tonnes of traditional grains and 540 000 tonnes of oil seeds), which are enough to meet the country’s human consumption requirements.