EDWIN MOYO
Mvuma- Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chief executive officer, Tinotenda Mhiko said irrigation development has great prospects of producing sufficient food for the country and employment creation.
Mhiko said this during the official commissioning of Hamamavhaire Irrigation Scheme on Saturday 15 April 2023 in Chirumanzi to farmers.
“Irrigation development remains key in climate proofing our agricultural production from the vagaries of climate change, as we journey towards food self-sufficiency and free our national fiscus from the pressure of import funding requirements.
“The irrigation scheme you see is now under the management of the revolutionary V30 Accelerator model, beneficiaries will conduct production under the management of a resident ARDA Scheme Business Manager on the back of a profitable business case to ensure scheme viability and subsequent sustainability.
“The schemes will produce a combined 8 757 tons of grain annually for 2 seasons. Agribusiness championed by government must be taken seriously as it also impact on job creation and the livelihood of people and in line with vision 2030
“The multiplier effect of this Government intervention cannot be ignored as it is estimated to achieve the upper middle income society per capita income of US$4 000 of over 1 million households across all the 450 irrigation schemes in the country,” Mhiko said.
Hamamavhaire Irrigation Scheme chairperson, Emmanuel Chadenga thanked government for supporting farmers in the communal areas saying families were now able to sustain their lives from the proceeds of the project.
“I want to thank the government for coming up with a smallholder irrigation rehabilitation program especially in this area where rainfall is not reliable for sustainable crop production.
“The scheme had totally collapsed as pipes and valves were leaking. The perimeter fence was also down, but it has been restored. What makes me happy is that our farmers are now enjoying the fruits of their labour through assistance by the government,” he said.
Hamamavhaire is one of the beneficiaries of SIRP with an irrigable land of 103 hectares. The scheme has 118 farmers where 69 are male, 49 are females and 10 are youths.
About 304 irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe have now been transformed to innovative business model, which seeks to address scheme viability, scheme governance and scheme sustainability under the Smallholder Irrigation Program (SIRP), which is being implemented by the government in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The event was graced by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka who also urged the beneficiaries to operate on full capacity to enhance food sustainability.
