Story by Abigirl Tembo
Mushandike Irrigation Scheme has emerged as a shining example of resilience and determination in the wake of climate change, transforming lives of hundreds of farmers and their families in Masvingo District.
The irrigation scheme which is one of the oldest in Zimbabwe, has been instrumental in promoting food security and economic resilience in the drought-prone Masvingo Province.
With the support of government and its partners, the 57 members of the scheme have managed to earn a living over the years, despite challenges posed by climate change.
“”I have been in this irrigation since 1988 and have managed to send my children to school through this irrigation. We used to grow cotton and some time back we stopped but now government intervened and told us to get into groups and we have managed to survive and buy livestock. With this irrigation you are guaranteed that once you plan you will harvest,” said a beneficiary.
“As women, we are happy to have been empowered with the tools and skills to participate in this project. Not only are we getting money to help out in the home, we are bringing healthy and nutritious food on the table for our families,” noted another.
The Mushandike Irrigation Scheme exemplifies the country’s drive to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 goals.
This initiative has enhanced food security, promoted agricultural development, and fostered climate resilience, contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
As noted by Mrs. Kundai Machengere, Agriculture Extension Officer for Ward 15, the scheme’s success is evident in its farmers’ ability to plant and harvest crops, despite climate change challenges.
“Farmers are now doing land preparation after harvesting their wheat crop and taking it to the GMB so now they are back in the fields. Some are already planting others are looking for tractors. We have 57 farmers in this scheme. We have 20 women and 37 men. Each member of the group has 1,5 hectares but they cannot plant the whole hectarage during the summer season since the water from the irrigation is limited. So they agree on what to plant and the area to put under that particular crop. Our farmers are growing mostly maize, wheat and sugar beans. Others are also putting horticultural crops such as cabbages, tomatoes and onions. This season, farmers are expecting to increase their hectarage if we get more rains as predicted by the Met department,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Project (ZEFPP) has bolstered the Mushandike Irrigation Scheme’s capacity through a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank (AfDB), AFC Land and Development Bank, the Government of Zimbabwe, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
By providing critical resources and technical expertise, ZEFPP has enhanced the scheme’s resilience, productivity and focus on climate-resilient agriculture, aligning with government’s food security and sustainable agriculture aspirations.
