SI 87 levy funds Glen Somerset irrigation scheme in Murewa, says Jiri

SI 87 levy funds Glen Somerset irrigation scheme in Murewa, says Jiri

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A 50-hectare irrigation project at Glen Somerset in Murewa District has been cited by Government and the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) as an early outcome of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which introduced a Grain Import Levy intended to support irrigation development and broader productivity programmes.

The scheme was showcased on 26 June 2026 during AMA’s inaugural Agricultural Marketing Fund (AMF) Impact Assessment and Media Tour. Officials said land that had been idle eight months earlier is now being developed into an irrigated cereal production area expected to produce at least 250 metric tonnes per season, with 20 direct beneficiaries identified at the site.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Prof Dr Obert Jiri, said the speed of implementation demonstrated the purpose of the statutory instrument. “From October 2025, when the Statutory Instrument was promulgated, and now in June, this scheme is already functional,” he said.

Prof Dr Jiri added: “Food security around the scheme is now guaranteed. This is why we want local production to be emphasised, so we are able to produce our own food and not depend on external importation of food.”

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Under SI 87 of 2025, the AMA was designated to collect the Grain Import Levy, with proceeds ring-fenced for smallholder irrigation development, farmer payments and productivity programmes, according to information shared during the tour.

AMA chief executive officer Alice Mapfiza said the first phase has channelled funding towards multiple sites. “The total funds we have put towards different schemes in the first phase amount to $3.2 million USD and $29 million ZIG and we will continue to support a total of 17 irrigation schemes. This is just the first phase,” she said.

Officials said Phase 1 is due for completion by 31 July 2026, with additional phases planned thereafter.

At Glen Somerset, Engineer Kudakwashe Makwena briefed the delegation on installed infrastructure, including pumps, piping and fencing reported to be 95% complete. In the same briefing, AMA said levy proceeds have already helped place about 850 hectares under irrigation nationally.

The programme was discussed against a backdrop of climate variability and growing concern over drought risk, with officials highlighting irrigation as a key part of Zimbabwe’s food security and rural transformation agenda.

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