Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
MASVINGO Province is poised to become a major agricultural and agro-industrial hub as it moves towards developing 80 000 hectares under irrigation, with 40 000 hectares already developed.
The ambitious drive, anchored on harnessing the province’s vast land and water resources, is expected to transform livelihoods and accelerate rural development.
Masvingo accounts for about 54 percent of the country’s total dammed water, giving the province a strategic advantage in irrigation development.
In an interview with ZBC News, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, said of the 80 000-hectare irrigation target, 40 000 hectares were developed under the National Development Strategy One (NDS1), mainly through land clearing. He said the flagship projects include the Nuanetsi Ranch development, with Tugwi-Mukosi Dam serving as the main water source.
“Agriculture is one of the key economic sectors we are prioritising to transform the livelihoods of the people of Masvingo through the full utilisation of our water resources. Masvingo Province constitutes 54 percent of the total dammed water in the country and also has vast land. Under NDS1, 40 000 hectares were completed in terms of land clearing, with part of that hectarage already under crop,” said Honourable Chadzamira.
He added that the Development Trust of Zimbabwe is the major investor at Nuanetsi Ranch, where 10 investors are developing about 30 000 hectares for sugarcane and citrus production.
“Under NDS2, the province is targeting the development of another 40 000 hectares, with water mainly drawn from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, the biggest inland dam in the country,” he said.
Honourable Chadzamira also noted that several community-based irrigation schemes were established and rehabilitated under NDS1, while the development of Tende-Runde Dam is progressing.
“In terms of community-based irrigation schemes, under NDS1 new schemes such as Bwanya, Gororo, Pikinini-Jawanda and Bindamombe were established, while many others were rehabilitated under the Small-Scale Irrigation Revitalisation Programme. Under NDS2, the province is also targeting the development of Tende-Runde Dam, which will be bigger than Tugwi-Mukosi,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has pledged support for the provincial vision, saying it is ready to ensure irrigation development translates into meaningful rural transformation.
“This increased investment in land and irrigation infrastructure development is a game-changer in boosting production, productivity and resilience. It also counteracts the vagaries of climate change while assuring the nation of perennial food security,” said ARDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tinotenda Mhiko.
Mr Mhiko said ARDA was restructured to become the national food security agent, producing over 850 000 metric tonnes of cereals annually for the national strategic grain reserve.
“As ARDA, we will support the development in Masvingo as we work towards ensuring food security for the country,” he said.
Some of the notable irrigation development projects implemented in Masvingo under NDS1 include the 30 000-hectare Nuanetsi Ranch project, the Kilimanjaro irrigation project, and several newly established and rehabilitated community-based schemes such as Bwanya, Gororo, Pikinini-Jawanda and Bindamombe
