The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
CLIMATE variability and change have spurred the Government to make substantial investments to construct new and rehabilitate existing irrigation schemes to build resilience, lift farmers out of poverty, enhance food security and improve economies in drier parts of Manicaland.
As a result, Government has injected US$602 000 in the massive construction of a 69-hectare Chitemene Irrigation Scheme, which is expected to reduce poverty and increase food security for 600 direct and indirect beneficiaries in the drought prone Makoni South Constituency.
The scheme, funded under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), was officially commissioned by Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Deputy Minister, Honourable Davis Marapira, on Wednesday.
Chitemene Irrigation Scheme was developed from scratch under the turnkey arrangement in which the contractor — Maka — was responsible for developing the schemes in accordance with the designs and handed over a complete project to the client.
It is adjacent the US$5 million Romsley Irrigation Scheme (384ha), now 80 percent complete — with 24 state-of-the-art centre pivots, pumps, canals and electricity already installed.
Romsley will be the first facility in the province to be propelled by perhaps the most significant mechanical innovation in agriculture.
Centre pivots are the most popular sprinkler irrigation systems in the world due to their high efficiency, uniformity, ability to irrigate uneven terrain, low capital, as well as maintenance and management costs.
The scheme was rehabilitated under the Small-holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP), a seven-year programme funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and Government, and contributes to the resilience of small-holder farming communities.
Deputy Minister Marapira said irrigation will ensure household food security and positively contribute to the resilience of A1 small-holder farmers resettled in the area, especially in the face of climate change manifestations such as persistent droughts and flooding.
The Chitemene Irrigation Scheme is commercially focussed to generate sufficient profits to sustainably maintain the extensive water infrastructure and stop the cycle of decay.
Farmers at Chitemene have already planted 34 hectares of winter wheat under the supervision of Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) — with a yield projection of five tonnes per hectare — which will see each direct beneficiary pocketing about US$1000.
Having adopted the business manager model led by ARDA, the scheme will also get support from Agritex (agronomic functions), Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA; market access) AFC (finance and leasing services) and the Department of Irrigation/ZINWA (maintenance and operation of machinery).
Chitemene uses the semi-portable sprinkler irrigation system and irrigates using High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is a kind of thermoplastic that is famous for its tensile strength.
Its unique properties can stand high temperatures.
Three 100hp pumps were installed at the scheme, and two will be in operation, while the other is on stand-by.
The other works included construction of mainline and infield lateral works, pump installations, construction of a 100-metre overhead electricity line and installation of a transformer.
Chitemene uses the semi-portable sprinkler irrigation system and irrigates using High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is a kind of thermoplastic that is famous for its tensile strength
Deputy Minister Marapira said in the last decade, Manicaland experienced changes in its climatic conditions, which militated against efforts by the agriculture sector to achieve food security.
“Manicaland is no exception to this phenomenon and has witnessed the effects of unreliable rainfall patterns and other weather events caused by climate change.
‘‘Many farmers in the province suffered from unreliable and poorly distributed rains in previous agricultural seasons.
“Due to climate change, rainfall patterns are no longer reliable for the agricultural sector, and despite promises of normal to above normal rains last season, most parts of the country had a late start to the agricultural season,” he said.
Manicaland last year received late heavy rains concentrated in December and January, thereby causing leaching of crops.
This was followed by a lengthy dry spell which led to the wilting of some crops before reaching maturity.
“Even though the bulky of the province is in natural regions one and two, characterised by good rains, climate change induced disasters such as floods and dry spells can still affect production in the province, hence the need to climate proof production.
“As Government, we have drawn important lessons from the poor rains received in the last few seasons. We are currently seized with efforts to build resilience in most rural communities. Government has embarked on a number of smart agriculture initiatives to ensure continued national food security in light of climate change.
“Apart from the highly successful Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme which has resulted in improved yields and improved food security, Government has put in place plans to rehabilitate 450 irrigation schemes, covering 350 000 hectares by 2025.
“This is being done across the country to climate proof irrigation and safeguard the country against vagaries of climate change and ensure food security,” he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the irrigation schemes are being rehabilitated with funding from PSIP and the Maka Turnkey Phase Two to help farmers to climate proof their agriculture, while they undergo training to focus on improved production, productivity and farming as a business.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyere said Manicaland has aggregate water bodies, rich fertile soils and conducive climate to contribute towards food security.
“The province is contributing towards the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Programme that seeks to nationally increase the area under irrigation from the 2018 base level of 171 000ha to 350 000ha by 2025.
“In the year 2023, Manicaland is targeting to rehabilitate a total of 424ha and develop 947ha new areas under funding from Government in partnership with IFAD. We are also tracking the developments by the private sector as they aid to our provincial target,’ she said.
The irrigation scheme chairman, Mr Jasper Nyarota, said apart from the irrigation schemes, they were given a full basket of wheat inputs curtesy of the Presidential Inputs Programme (PIP).
Mr Nyarota said they are targeting high value crops like wheat, maize, soya-beans, sugar beans, groundnuts, pepper, potatoes, spices, vegetables and fruits.
He said they have long term plans for value addition and beneficiation of their produce to maximise their profits.
