SEED-producer SeedCo Limited (SeedCo) plans to equip growers with irrigation infrastructure to ensure stable production amid ongoing climate change challenges.
The group endured a difficult year ending March 31, 2024, on the back of the El Nino-induced drought which saw its flagship crop, the maize seed sales volumes retreat by nearly a third of what was realised prior year.
Morgan Nzwere, Seed Co chief executive
“Seed production was significantly impacted by the drought, with yields anticipated to be one-third lower than projected. However, substantial carryover stocks, particularly in Zimbabwe, are expected to meet local demand and mitigate regional shortages,” SeedCo chief executive Morgan Nzwere said in the group’s 2024 annual report.
He added, “Looking ahead, the priority is to equip growers with irrigation infrastructure to ensure stable production amid ongoing climate change challenges.”
The group however did not give further detail on how much it has set aside for the implementation of the project.
This comes as the government has intensified efforts to boost irrigation development as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with the effects of recurrent droughts exacerbated by climate change.
According to the mid-term review, the treasury expended ZWG19,6 million towards irrigation development during the first six months of the year, with a target to achieve 6 864 hectares by December 2024.
The move is in line with the government’s commitment to climate-proof agriculture and ensure food security at both household and national levels.
The strategy aims to establish a robust agricultural system capable of producing crops year-round, regardless of the erratic rainfall patterns often associated with the region.
“Climate proofing agriculture and ensuring food security at household and national level is a commitment by the government that ensures all-year-round cropping irrespective of the rainfall patterns of the season, leveraging on the transformational support programmes from the State and the private sector,” the Ministry of Finance said.
Through the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Programme, the Ministry of Finance says the government seeks to ensure that the country’s irrigation potential is fully exploited.