$25m irrigation scheme to turn farms into greenbelt

A US$25 million irrigation scheme covering 2 000 hectares is set to turn farms along Chinhoyi-Murombedzi Road into a greenbelt, with a European country funding feasibility studies being undertaken by the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ).

The IBDZ will use the detailed feasibility study report to seek funding for the implementation of the project.

The project targeting old resettled farmers in Chitomborwizi and surrounding areas is part of the several irrigation projects in Mashonaland West which are expected to boost agricultural production in the province.

Mashonaland West Province has more than 220 water bodies suitable for irrigation, with Government introducing a number of irrigation projects to ensure the province produces food even during dry seasons.

The projects to be implemented after the successful completion of feasibility studies are targeting Mazvikadei Dam in Zvimba District and Biri Dam in Makonde District.

In an interview, Mashonaland West acting provincial irrigation engineer Eng Tarisai Munyaka said Government is working on several projects including namely the 200ha per district each year programme, Command Pivot (Pedstock) project, the Belarus-funded initiative, Sakunda Rehabilitation, Brazil’s More Food Initiative to boost irrigation development in the province.

“The biggest initiative should be the US$25 million project where we would be drawing water from Biri Dam and we are targeting to irrigate at least 2 000ha. We would pump water to a summit position, then it is then released into various networks to irrigate plots in the targeted areas,” he said.

However, the project will be done in two phases, each covering 1 000ha and demarcated by the Chinhoyi-Murombedzi Road.

Eng Munyaka said the Department of Irrigation conducted pre-feasibility studies at both Mazvikadei and Biri dams targeting at least 4 000ha, but Government was still seeking funding to bankroll the projects.

“We have, however, received a positive feedback from a European country which has availed monies to do the detailed feasibility report covering at least 1 000ha that will be developed into the 2 000ha,” he said.

The feasibility report for Mazvikadei Dam project, Eng Munyaka said, was already available, with Government seeking project implementation funding.

He said 200ha per district irrigation rehabilitation programme, initiated by Lands and Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, had been rolled out in the seven districts of the province. The IDBZ is also handling the funds for the 200ha per district per year programme.

“This programme targets communal farmers and usually targets at 0,1 to 1ha per individual farmer to go into irrigation farming. The Sakunda Rehabilitation programme targets A2 model farmers, while there are others including Pedstock project which was distributing centre pivots,” he said.

At least 43 farmers have received support in the form of irrigation equipment under the Sakunda Rehabilitation programme.

The Irrigation Department is also waiting to receive equipment for farmers under the Belarus programme which is still in its infancy.

Eng Munyaka also revealed that the unstable pricing regime was also affecting the implementation of the projects.

“There are contractors who won tenders, but cannot move onto the ground, especially in the districts because of the prices which are continuously shifting,” he said.

“The team working on the Belarus project has visited Mashonaland West, including Sanyati and Zvimba districts where we have a pilot project in Kadoma and Mazvikadei,” he said.

Belarus is also supporting Government in the agriculture mechanisation programmes.

The department has also re-introduced competition among irrigation farmers, with various prizes to encourage farmers to take up the agricultural practices. The programme, targeting smallholder farmers and A1 grouped irrigators, has seen stakeholders come together to source prizes for excelling farmers.

The past two years saw the national winner getting $10 000 from the Department of Irrigation, while project engineers, extension workers and their district heads have also received prizes.