Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter
Irrigation activities in most farming areas have improved following Government’s intervention to prioritise electricity allocation for crop production to boost national food security.

However, farmers are calling for an extension of hours and days of power supply.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement engaged the Energy and Power Development Ministry early this month over erratic power supply in farming areas, a move that saw farming communities being prioritised.

The first half of the summer cropping season was characterised by interspersed rainfall followed by prolonged dry spells, which affected most of the crops.

The hot conditions were also not favourable for crop growth, hence the moisture stress witnessed in non-irrigated crops.

Load shedding and electricity faults have had a negative impact on irrigated crops and some farmers were beginning to panic as their crops were showing signs of moisture stress.

Power supply has since improved, with some farmers confirming that their irrigated crops were doing well.

Glenara Estates operations manager, Mr Clear Matangi, said there has been a great improvement in power supply and the crop was responding well.

“Now we normally have power from 11am to 4pm in the afternoon. We have another supply from 9pm to 9am.

“Early January, our crop was showing signs of stress, but it has now recovered. The crop has reached the tasselling stage,” he said.

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union director Mr Paul Zakariya confirmed the improvement in power supply in some areas,  but said there was need for an extension of hours and days of supply.

“Load shedding is still there, but there has been an improvement in power supply for irrigation,” he said

“Farmers would, however, appreciate if they get more power. Efforts have been made, and to some extent, there have been improvements.

“What is important is that there has been an improvement. The irrigated crop is healthier than the rain-fed crop due to this intervention.”

Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said irrigated crops were in good condition.

“The supply is still limited, but farmers are irrigating their crops,” she said.

Irrigation activities are underway and the crops are looking healthy.”

Early this month, Lands, Agriculture, Water and Irrigation Development Minister Perrance Shiri said the ministry was working with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development for a permanent solution in power supply.

Minister Shiri urged farmers to use smart agriculture such as pot-holing, digging small dams in between crops to trap whatever run-off.

Tie ridging, wet ripping and mulching, especially for smallholder farmers, are other options.

Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi said there was need to be strategic in the allocation of the little power the country has to boost food production and reduce money spent on imports.

The minister also warned people stealing transformers and/ or vandalising power equipment that the law will catch up with them.