Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
COMMUNAL farmers in Chivi District are increasingly turning to irrigation as a climate-smart solution to erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells, improving food security and enabling year-round agricultural production through Government-supported initiatives.
The shift comes as climate change continues to undermine rain-fed agriculture in semi-arid parts of Masvingo Province, forcing smallholder farmers to adopt resilient farming methods.
One such farmer is 42-year-old Mr Wilford Chirikure of Mutsauri Village in Chivi North, who has transformed his 1.5-hectare plot into a productive irrigation project after sinking a borehole and installing a drip irrigation system.
With a reliable water supply, Mr Chirikure now produces high-value crops including tomatoes, green mealies, butternuts and okra, mainly for commercial purposes.
“For the past few years, we relied on rain-fed crops such as maize and traditional grains. However, in 2021, we decided to drill a borehole and start irrigating our land. Since then, we have been growing crops like green mealies, okra, tomatoes and butternuts for sale. We now enjoy improved family income and can farm all year round,” Mr Chirikure said.
The irrigation project has enabled him to supply markets in Masvingo and Zvishavane consistently, ensuring steady production and income.
“We work closely with our agricultural extension workers, and our main markets are Zvishavane, Masvingo urban, Mhandamabwe, and the local community. Our biggest challenge is that the land is now proving small, but given the opportunity, we can expand and achieve even more,” he added.
His wife, Mrs Raviro Chirikure, said the project has significantly improved household food security and livelihoods.
“Through this project, we have enough food for the family. The proceeds allow us to send our children to school, invest in other businesses, and develop our homestead,” she said.
Beyond household gains, the project has also created employment opportunities within the community.
“Through these agricultural projects, local residents are engaged to provide labour during planting, weeding and harvesting, creating employment opportunities and boosting incomes at village level. I am one of the beneficiaries,” said Mr Simon Horiya.
Ms Tendai Chirikure said the success of the project is encouraging other farmers to adopt irrigation.
“This project is inspiring other farmers to embrace irrigation as a pathway to food security and economic empowerment,” she said.
Agriculture Business Advisory Supervisor for Chivi North, Mr Jeremiah Shumba, said Government irrigation programmes are transforming livelihoods in the area.
“It is very important that our farmers, including communal ones, work together with their agricultural business advisory officers to adopt modern farming methods. We thank the government for establishing irrigation schemes in this area, which was previously dry. We have seen lives being transformed for the better,” Mr Shumba said.
Mr Chirikure’s success highlights the transformative impact of irrigation in communal areas, demonstrating how access to water can improve livelihoods, strengthen food security and contribute to rural development.
