ZIMBABWE’s large-scale irrigation schemes remain underutilised, threatening national food security as the country battles the devastating climate change effects.
A Parliamentary Portfolio Committee report on Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development expressed concern that irrigation hardware remains underutilised despite significant investments, raising fears that it may have been stolen or diverted by the well connected.
The committee said failure to operationalise the infrastructure had resulted in lost opportunities for improving national food security, particularly considering the 2,2 million hectares of irrigable land potential that was highlighted by the ministry.
It was revealed that progress towards the desired 350 000 hectares by 2025 under the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Plan remains off target, standing at 217 000 hectares.
“This underutilisation undermines the broader goals of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, particularly in the wake of climate change-induced droughts,” the report read.
“The committee noted with concern that despite significant investments in irrigation hardware, much of the infrastructure remains grossly underutilised.
“This was attributed to poor maintenance of existing facilities, lack of mechanisation and delays in the completion of construction works on partially developed schemes.”
The committee cited large-scale irrigation schemes such as Mushandike, Tokwane-Ngundu, Chaora Block and Chimwe, which were discovered to be facing operational challenges and producing less than their capacity.
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At Mushandike, only 300 hectares were found to be under irrigation against its capacity of 847 hectares.
“The situation is primarily caused by critically low water levels at Mushandike Dam, which currently stands at only 28% of its total holding capacity,” the report read.
“The scheme’s challenges are further compounded by the presence of 8km of unlined canal sections along the 32km main canal, leading to significant water seepage and leakage losses.
“Illegal settlers along the canal are also aggravating water shortages through unauthorised abstraction for domestic, agricultural and commercial activities.”
Tokwane-Ngundu, with a designed irrigable area of 195 hectares, has approximately 140 hectares actively under cultivation.
“Farmers in this scheme highlighted inadequate tillage equipment as the major hurdle, with most relying on manual sowing despite the availability of equipment like the Vicon spreader, largely due to insufficient training,” the report read.
“Drainage challenges were also reported, rendering some fields unusable during the rainy season.
“Additionally, a lack of security infrastructure such as perimeter fencing exposes the scheme to risks of vandalism and theft.”
Chaora Block in Mberengwa remains stalled, with zero hectarage under irrigation despite plans for a 180-hectare scheme.
“Progress has been impeded by financial constraints, primarily government’s failure to honour payment to contractors,” the report.
“This situation has left critical infrastructure incomplete, posing long-term risks to regional food production targets.”
At Chimwe Irrigation Scheme, only a portion of the allocated 64 hectares is under effective utilisation.
The committee observed a combination of outdated irrigation technology, leadership challenges, recurrent infrastructure vandalism, poor canal maintenance and weak institutional governance structures as some of the challenges affecting production.
“The committee was gravely concerned that unlined canals continue to cause significant water wastage, eroding the efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation efforts,” the report read.
“Furthermore, the committee noted the compounding effect of illegal settlements established along irrigation waterways, which often siphon water for non-agricultural purposes, further depriving legitimate schemes of critical water resources.”
The report added: “This situation militates against the potential productivity that should be realised, especially considering the existence of large water bodies such as Tugwi-Mukosi and Marovanyati, which could otherwise transform the irrigation landscape in Masvingo and other provinces.”
The committee said there was an urgent need to fully operationalise the V30 model nationwide and ensure that large-scale irrigation schemes evolve into competent and accountable legal entities capable of sustainable irrigation management.
