Installation of irrigation equipment sourced under Brazil’s More Food for Africa Programme has begun in various parts of Zimbabwe and will be complete before summer cropping.

More land needs to be put under irrigation

Around 80 irrigation schemes – eight per province – have already received centre pivots, hose reels, irrigators and pumps plus other related equipment under the programme’s first phase.

Tractors, ploughs, rome discs, fertiliser spreaders and planters complete the consignments distributed to farmers since July 29, 2015.

Zimbabwe’s summer cropping usually begins in mid-October, though rains have in previous seasons invariably set in late due to climate change.

Government wants to make this season successful through expansive irrigation following a regionwide drought in 2014/15 that resulted in low grain output.

Experts say irrigation could catapult production from a minimum one tonne per hectare to 10 tonnes.

At least 500 000 ha will be under irrigation this season.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister (Cropping, Mechanisation and Irrigation) Mr Davis Marapira told The Sunday Mail that distribution of equipment under Phase 1 of the programme had been completed.

“We have completed distributing equipment under Phase 1 of the programme. Eight irrigation schemes in each of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces have taken delivery of this equipment whose distribution began on July 29.

“We have moved with speed to ensure everything will be in place by the time summer cropping commences.

“Equipment like tractor implements that include ploughs, roam discs, fertiliser spreaders and planters are already on the ground.

“Irrigation equipment is being installed and some will be up and running soon.”

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president, Mr Wonder Chabikwa said highly-mechanised farming will increase grain output.

He encouraged farmers to adapt to new approaches and not solely rely on rain.

“Seasons are no longer naturally favourable and this has strained national food security.

“Therefore, irrigation is the only way to go if we are to boost production as we have been receiving inadequate rainfall lately.

“Previously, most farmers produced at least one tonne of maize per hectare, but with proper irrigation, this figure can increase to as much as 10 tonnes.

“If we manage to irrigate 500 000 ha, I don’t see any reason why we cannot start exporting grain and once again establish ourselves as a major food hub.”

Agronomist Mr Obert Jiri said Government should not ignore other requirements.

“I think irrigation is the way to go as there was lack of productivity in the past mainly due to climate change.

“Irrigation will help, but we need to look at other things as well – soil, fertiliser and seed costs, labour and information, among other elements.

“A farmer can have adequate water supply, but lack of knowledge about the suitable crop for their soil type might lead to failure.

“Another area that must be looked in to is fertiliser price reduction and the product’s availability.”

In May 2015, President Mugabe commissioned 320 tractors, 450 disc harrows, 310 planters, 100 fertiliser spreaders and 6 650 knapsack sprayers under the facility. Phase 1 mainly targets smallholder farmers, with the remaining two phases incorporating other farmer groups.

The US$98 million loan facility entails a two percent interest rate per annum, payable over 15 years with a three-year grace period.

In addition, Government has allocated US$91 million to agriculture. It will also assist 300 000 vulnerable households via input support schemes worth US$28 million.