Beatrice Kumbana
Political Reporter
HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has declared food security a fundamental priority, outlining ambitious plans to rehabilitate irrigation schemes and climate-proof the agricultural sector amid growing concerns over food shortages in several regions.
The announcement came during a parliamentary session on September 10th where Hon. Ndou raised pressing questions about the operational status of irrigation schemes across the country, some functioning at only 20% capacity.
In response, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Hon. Dr. Masuka, emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing both immediate and long-term food security challenges.
“Food security remains a fundamental priority for the government, describing it as a core philosophy of the Second Republic,” Dr. Masuka stated.
The Minister detailed a multi-faceted approach that includes both household-level and national-level strategies.
“We are implementing the ‘Pfumvudza/Intwasa’ model aimed at sustainable and intensive conservation farming, along with ongoing national efforts to develop irrigation infrastructure and construct dams,” he explained.
Dr. Masuka revealed ambitious targets for irrigation development, noting that “Zimbabwe aims to achieve food self-sufficiency during favorable rainfall years, with a target of completing 26,000 hectares of smallholder irrigation across 460 schemes by 2030.”
He confirmed that 19,000 hectares have already been developed, with the government actively seeking additional resources from both national budgets and international development partners.
The Minister acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly in districts like Bulilima and Binga.
“Localized food shortages will persist even in favorable conditions,” he admitted, but assured that “provisions are in place to assist areas experiencing food shortages through the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee.”
During the session, Hon. Machangu raised supplementary questions regarding monitoring and evaluation of irrigation schemes. Dr. Masuka addressed these concerns by discussing the government’s new ‘Vision 2030 Accelerator Model’, which aims to transform irrigation governance through professional management companies.
“This model allows for the formation of companies to manage irrigation schemes professionally, promoting the consolidation of smaller plots into larger, economically viable units to enhance access to financing and improve productivity,” the Minister explained.
The government’s plans come against a backdrop of significant challenges: approximately 40% of the population faces food insecurity, particularly in rural regions, and many irrigation schemes operate below 50% capacity. Over the past decade, maize yields have decreased by an average of 30% due to climate impacts and inadequate irrigation management.
As the government outlines its ambitious plans, the effectiveness of these strategies will ultimately be measured by tangible improvements in food availability and the livelihoods of Zimbabwean farmers.
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