ZIMBABWE spent $1,5 billion on irrigation development during the first half of the year, which was complemented by US$2 million from development partners, as part of efforts to make the country’s agriculture sector resilient to climate change effects and vulnerabilities.
Frequent droughts have made rainfed agriculture production unsustainable in Zimbabwe, resulting in calls for upscaling of investments in irrigation.
“…30 ongoing irrigation projects covering 1 450 hectares are being implemented through the National Accelerated Irrigation Development Programme.
“Development of 21 irrigation projects through the Turnkey Phase 1 programme wherein to date 10 projects covering 581 hectares have been completed and are awaiting commissioning,” Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said recently.
A total of 34 pivots have been installed, with 27 of them now irrigating a combined 1 260 hectares under the Pedstock Center Pivot Facility.
The Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) being co-funded by the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has seen 596 hectares being irrigated out of the
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