Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MANICALAND has identified 63 000 hectares of virgin land earmarked for irrigation, whose development will be augmented by the construction of the largest in-land dam in the country at the confluence of Mucheke and Save rivers.
A capital injection of US$602 million is required for both the construction of Kondo-Chindowe Dam, which will be the largest water reservoir in the country, as well as the new irrigation schemes that will position the province as the country’s agricultural cornerstone.
Kondo-Chindowe Dam will straddle three districts — Makoni, Mutare and Buhera — and its construction will cost US$380m, spread over five years.
Upon completion, the dam will irrigate a massive 38 000ha of land in Chisumbanje.
Data released recently by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (Irrigation Investment Prospectus) shows that the province requires US$602 million to fully develop its irrigation muscle, while Masvingo requires US$565m, Mashonaland West US$330m, Matabeleland North US$202m, Mashonaland Central US$160m, Mashonaland East US$97m, Midlands US$68m and Matabeleland South US$40m.
Nationally, 245 043ha which require an investment of US$1,965 billion, have been identified.
Proposed irrigation schemes on currently existing dams in Manicaland include Osborne Dam (ARDA Transau) 3 000ha, which will be developed at a cost of US$24,4m; Osborne Dam (Makoni and Mutasa) 5 000ha whose construction will cost US$41m, and Marovanyati Irrigation Scheme which will cover 1 250ha at a cost of US$9m.
An 8 000ha irrigation scheme is also earmarked for Kondo-Rimbi at a cost of US$67m, while another 1 125ha scheme will be developed at the recently commissioned Muchekeranwa Dam at a cost of US$11,5m.
Another 300ha scheme will be developed at Mwarazi at a cost of US$2,6m, followed by a 1 250ha scheme at Gairezi (US$15m) and 700ha scheme at Nenhowe/Nemaramba (US$5,6m).
Another irrigation facility covering 700ha will be developed at Rupapa at a cost of US$10,5m, while 3 600ha will also be developed at Bonde Canal at a cost of US$36m.
In the prospectus, the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry said Manicaland has all the ingredients to succeed in the envisaged irrigation development as it has all the natural regions, existing major dams, and good transport network to ferry produce around the country and for export.
“The province boasts all five agro-ecological regions, and average rainfall patterns range from 1 000mm to below 450mm per annum respectively. The obtaining conditions promote all-year round production of a wide range of crops from cereals (maize and wheat); horticulture (tomatoes, onions, mange tout, chili, berries); export crops (tobacco, avocado, bananas, macadamia, coffee, tea); and pulses (beans, soya beans, groundnuts, peas).
“The economy of Manicaland is driven by agriculture, mining, manufacturing, industry and commerce, tourism and construction. The total arable area is approximately 911 472ha, distributed across large-scale commercial farming category (54 percent), small-scale communal (36 percent) and small-scale commercial (10 percent). The province has identified a total of 63 000ha with soils ranging from loam to heavy clays for investment in the short, medium and long term.
“The available land is supported by four existing major dams, three proposed dams (of which one is earmarked to be the biggest inland dam in Zimbabwe) and two transboundary rivers. Apart from the land and water resources, the province boasts a revamped road transportation system linked to the Harare-Mutare-Beira Highway, rail network system which connects the same, the existing Grand Reef Aerodrome, and the newly proposed Mutare Airport. This system allows the swift and efficient transportation of farm produce.
“Identified projects can be implemented on the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer models such as the hub-and-spoke involving small-scale farmers, A1, A2 and medium-to-large scale commercial farms, among other initiatives,” reads the prospectus.
The Ministry also said construction of additional dams and creation of new irrigation schemes is key in achieving sustainable development, and ensuring future water and energy security.
“It is imperative for Zimbabwe to continue investing in dam construction. In addition to improving the nation’s readiness for predicted and expected severe weather conditions, dams control movement of water, reduce the impact of floods, and guarantee consistent water supply for farming, manufacturing and residential use.
“This enhances agricultural productivity and stimulates economic growth by generating hydroelectric power, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating global warming,” reads the prospectus.
