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The Irrigation Investment Conference held in Harare recommended the uptake of actionable results to accelerate climate-proofing of the agricultural sector from the household to the national level.
This was revealed by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka at the Irrigation Investment Conference held at the Harare International Conference Centre on Friday last week.
The conference tackled climate change, and its manifestations as drought, heat waves, cyclones, floods, and other severe weather events which are detrimental to agricultural production and productivity. It also casts a spotlight on mitigation and resilience building in the face of climate change.
Dr Masuka said that the Conference went beyond climate change, its manifestations, its mitigation and resilient building measures. He praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for taking the nation on a journey out of the vagaries of climate change-induced calamities.
There were practical engagements by investors, in four dedicated deal rooms focussing on the dam as an economy; ensuring that all irrigable land is brought into production; village, school, youth, and smallholder irrigation business units investment case for rural development; and President Mnangagwa’s signature Vision 2030 Incubator and Accelerator Model to leave no one and accommodate all Zimbabweans so they all benefit from the success of the land reform programme without necessarily farming themselves through a corporate farming model.
Addressing the same gathering, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube said the Conference was a useful platform to foster dialogue and networking on devising the best ways to enhance irrigation development in Zimbabwe, especially through information sharing with all potential investors.
He said his Ministry continues to support projects and programmes aimed at enhancing the growth of the irrigation sector which is one of the key measures towards drought-proofing agriculture and guaranteeing food security at both household and national level.
Prof Ncube said resources amounting to ZiG88.4 million in 2024 have been budgeted under the irrigation sector targeting mainly irrigation rehabilitation; development of irrigation infrastructure; and maintenance of communal irrigation schemes.
Treasury continues to support the construction of dams as well as conveyancing systems to feed water to irrigation schemes. Major dams such as Tokwe Mukosi, Machekeranwa, Marovanyati and Chivhu dams were recently commissioned and all will also provide water for irrigation purposes. Currently, other major dams under construction such as Gwayi Shangaani, Kunzvi, Ziminya, Tuli Manyange, Vungu and Semwa are being funded by Treasury and are earmarked for expanding irrigation development once completed.
Support is also being channelled towards Farm Mechanization facilities such as the Belarus facility which plays a pivotal role in capacitating irrigation schemes with appropriate technologies nationwide.
In addition, support towards the Presidential borehole drilling programme has promoted the development of nutrition gardens at the village level.
“Over and above Government support towards irrigation development, Development Partners continue to complement the Government’s efforts in irrigation development. These facilities include: –
- US$15 million facility IFAD, OFID and Government co-financed Small Holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme.
- US$35.7 million Loan Facility under the OFID for Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP)
- US$20 million Kuwait Loan Fund; and
- US$9 million UNDP and FCDO Climate Adaptation Water, Energy Programme.
“The above facilities continue to make a positive impact in various communities through enhancing food security at the community level,” Prof Ncube said.