Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
A government-led irrigation initiative in Gororo, Chivi South, is delivering year-round agricultural production, improving incomes, and strengthening community resilience against climate shocks.
The 50-hectare Tugwi-Mukosi-powered scheme, operational since January 2025, taps water from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam and is a partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other development partners. It has enabled more than 70 households in the area to cultivate crops throughout the year, turning smallholder farmers into reliable food producers.
For decades, the Gororo community grappled with food shortages and erratic rainfall. But the scheme is changing the narrative.
“We want to thank the government for ensuring that, as a community, we benefit from the Tugwi-Mukosi dam. Since we started production, we have seen a remarkable improvement in people’s lives here. We are growing crops all year round, hence our families are food secure,” a farmer, Mr Douglas Nhamo said.
“Access to water was a big challenge in this area; however, now we have water for irrigation and a piped water scheme for households around this area,” a beneficiary, Ms Getrude Madzana said.
Chairperson of the scheme, Mr David Madzivire, said farmers have already recorded remarkable output from the project.
“We started production in January this year with maize and beans, and we produced more than 40 tonnes. We also did winter wheat and produced 28 tonnes. Currently, we have maize for green mealies, and we were contracted by two companies for chilli and beans. We are yet to produce at full scale because the other hectares are still being developed, and upon completion, we are looking forward to a massive transformation of those areas,” he said.
Agriculture Extension Worker, Ms Semai Nhapata, who has been working closely with the farmers, said the scheme has strengthened resilience in the face of climate shocks.
“This project has brought about resilience among farmers. They can now withstand drought and other climate-related challenges because they can produce throughout the year. As you are aware, this area is dry under region 5, hence there were recurring droughts, but the situation has changed for the better,” she said.
Acting District Development Coordinator for Chivi, Ms Memory Tumbe, said the initiative supports the government’s thrust of rural industrialisation and inclusive development.
“The Gororo Irrigation Scheme speaks directly to the Government’s vision of rural industrialisation and development, where communities are empowered to drive local economic growth and improve livelihoods,” she said.
As the country continues rolling out agricultural empowerment programmes, the Gororo success story stands as an example of how partnerships, innovation, and smart water use can propel rural communities towards sustained growth, food security, and improved incomes.
