Govt in upbeat forecast on irrigation
By Nothando Nkomo
The government has high expectations as it envisages the irrigation of 350 000ha of land in the next three seasons through its climate proof agriculture program, a cabinet minister has said.
Delivering a speech on the occasion of the 2021 lndaba in Harare, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture , Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Hon Dr. A. J. Masuka said the initiative should excite farmers as it affords them more control of production leading to higher productivity and profitability.
“The program should open spawn opportunities for value chain actors, from research and development for innovative methods and ways to modernize irrigation systems, to manufacturing and input suppliers to farmers who should be excited that they will have better control of their production leading to increased production , higher productivity and enhanced profitability.”
According to the Minster, Zimbabwe’s agro-based economy is set to receive a boost from the much needed irrigation schemes. He said irrigation will take centre stage in the realization of Vision 2030. By 2030, it is envisaged that Zimbabwean households will have universal access to improved sources of water.
“lrrigation will continue to have a prominent role in propelling agriculture in the context of Vision 2030,” he added.
Dr Masuka highlighted that the irrigation will made possible by the abundance of rain received by the country during the rainy season which filled up most supply dams to capacity.
The total capacity of our dams is 8,128 billion cubic meters. They currently hold 7,538 billion cubic meters, excluding Lake Kariba. The water held in our various dams is capable of commanding 184 227 hectares of irritable land at a role of 15ml per hectare and of this total 78 204 hectares are already committed in the major dams , leaving a balance of potential irrigable land at 106 023 hectares.
Minister Masuka was upbeat as he projected an impressive harvest which is expected from the massive irrigation. He said, “the government is expecting at least 3 million tonnes of maize , 1 million tonnes of traditional grains , 360 000mt soya bean and 360mt wheat in the next two seasons due to improved water harvesting, development and deployment of new and efficient irrigation and increased water efficiencies “.
The Minister emphasized that government will continue to provide an enabling environment for water sector development to meet, not just agricultural requirements but also industry , mining and drinking water water needs.
In his concluding remarks, the minister hailed the Indaba as a success that will help align different perceptions while paving the way for a better cropping season and that “it must continue in districts, in wards, in villages, in households, on farms and around dams.”
The Indaba was attended by officials in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural resettlement, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), and members of the media among other delegates.
