KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe secures $227 million for irrigation and $1.5 billion for infrastructure upgrades to combat climate-induced agricultural challenges.
- The initiative aims to expand irrigated areas from 217,000 to 496,000 hectares under the Vision 2030 development plan.
- Emphasis on integrated water management supports rural development, food security, and economic growth amid climate uncertainty.
Zimbabwe has taken a decisive step to enhance its agricultural resilience by signing irrigation investment agreements with nine private companies.
The Herald reported that the move aims to mitigate the impact of unpredictable weather patterns, ensure food security, steady industrial raw material supply, and increase export capacity.
Zimbabwe boosts irrigation for resilience
The agreement, formalized last week in Harare, was overseen by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri.
Speaking at the event, Jiri emphasized the transformative potential of irrigation farming in turning Zimbabwe into a weather-independent food hub.
“Today we start wetting the paper, but the eventual goal is to wet the fields. If we do that, we would have succeeded in climate-proofing our agriculture,” Jiri said.
National priority on climate-resilient agriculture
The agreement follows the National Irrigation Investment Conference, during which President Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasized the necessity of mitigating climate change’s risks to Zimbabwe’s agriculture.
President Mnangagwa emphasized the significance of irrigation and water management systems in tackling the drought caused by El Niño and ensuring national food security.
He advocated for a philosophy of “dam as an economy,” merging dam construction with irrigation, hydroelectric energy, drinking water, and fisheries to promote rural development.
Significant funding to increase irrigated areas
Zimbabwe has successfully obtained more than $227 million in deals for irrigation investment and an extra $1.5 billion to enhance essential infrastructure such as the Musami Dam and the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline.
These initiatives are included in a larger program aimed at increasing irrigated areas from 217,000 hectares to 496,000 hectares, greatly enhancing agricultural production.
The government’s dedication to irrigation indicates a move towards sustainable farming methods, with the Department of Irrigation and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) crucial in executing this change.
Vision 2030: Changing lives via water infrastructure
Under Vision 2030, Zimbabwe seeks to utilize water infrastructure to enhance living standards and promote economic development.
The approach combines various applications of water resources to guarantee that no community or area is overlooked.
As the agreements advance towards actual execution, the nation is ready to become a regional leader in climate-resilient agriculture, enhancing its food security and economic resilience amid climate-related challenges.
