Government expands irrigation to boost food security as drought risks persist

Government expands irrigation to boost food security as drought risks persist

For all the News from Mashonaland Central, Join One of Our Groups

The Government says it is accelerating irrigation rehabilitation and expansion to reduce Zimbabwe’s reliance on increasingly erratic rainfall, as climate change continues to disrupt rain-fed agriculture and contribute to poor harvests and food insecurity.

The push has been illustrated by climate-smart irrigation schemes in Nyanyadzi, Chimanimani District, where farmers report rising production of crops such as sugar beans and tomatoes, alongside improved household incomes despite recurring droughts and unpredictable weather patterns.

Farmers quoted in a ZBC report said irrigation has enabled year-round production, reducing the traditional “dead season” after the rains and strengthening resilience during prolonged dry spells.

“In the past, once the rains stopped, everything stopped, and we would spend months just staring at dry fields waiting for the next season. Now, with climate-smart irrigation, winter is no longer a dead season for us. We are planting and harvesting all year round, ensuring there is always food on the table and money in our pockets,” one farmer said.

Another farmer said the shift has helped turn smallholder farming into a business. “We used to struggle just to pay school fees for our children, but this year’s tomato crop has given us real financial freedom. We are no longer just farming to survive; we are running viable businesses right here in Nyanyadzi. This irrigation system is our shield against climate change; it has given us the power to control our own harvest regardless of the weather outside,” the farmer said.

To Advertise Inbox Us

With more reliable water supplies, some farmers say they are accessing broader markets beyond local roadside sales. Tomato farmer Mr Gudyanga said the irrigation scheme has allowed producers to supply cross-border buyers from Mozambique consistently.

“Instead of just growing for local roadside markets, we are now producing high-quality tomatoes targeted directly at cross-border buyers from Mozambique. The demand over the border is huge, and because we have reliable irrigation, we can supply them consistently when prices are at their peak,” Mr Gudyanga said.

At national level, authorities say the programme includes rehabilitating more than 400 smallholder irrigation schemes, while expanding irrigated land to nearly 496,000 hectares by 2030 as part of measures aimed at strengthening food security.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri said improved dam levels after a good rainy season have bolstered irrigation capacity.

“Our dams are currently holding healthy water volumes owing to the excellent rains from last season, which have directly injected life into our nationwide irrigation infrastructure. This is a game-changer for our rural industrialisation drive. With guaranteed water security, the government is stepping up its accelerated resuscitation programme to bring more idle schemes back into full, commercial production,” Prof Jiri said.

The Government says irrigation development remains central to its rural industrialisation agenda and efforts to cushion communities from climate-related shocks affecting agriculture.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for all the News from Mashonaland Central – Bindura, Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva, Mazowe & Muzarabani