Zimbabwe: Government Launches Irrigation Master Plan
Zimbabwe's government has launched the Climate Resilient National Water Resources and Irrigation Master Plan to increase irrigable land and improve national food security. Zimbabwe had already secured a US$98 million loan to buy irrigation equipment, tractors and implements through Brazil’s More Food for Africa programme.
The government feels that on top of the Brazilian irrigation equipment, there should be another facility for small-scale farmers.
Earlier this year, the central bank and Finance Ministry disbursed US$7 million to irrigate 11 000 hectares.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Mangudya last week told The Sunday Mail: “In line with the Climate Resilient National Water Resources and Irrigation Master Plan that the Government is implementing, there is scope for Government to dedicate more efforts towards establishment and resuscitation of irrigation infrastructure across the country in order to increase irrigable land.
Dmitriy Fomenko