The Zimbabwean government has finalized nine investment agreements with private firms to enhance the nation’s irrigation infrastructure, a strategic move aimed at addressing food insecurity and ensuring a stable supply of agricultural raw materials for domestic industries and exports.
This initiative aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of climate-resilient agriculture, building on his “dam-as-an-economy” philosophy. This approach integrates dam construction, irrigation development, hydroelectric power generation, and access to potable water to mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly the El Niño-induced droughts.
Under the agreements, Zimbabwe plans to increase its irrigated land coverage from 217,000 hectares to 496,000 hectares, a significant leap expected to fortify the country’s agricultural sector against erratic weather patterns.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare, Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the transformative potential of these investments. “Today, we begin by wetting the paper, but the ultimate goal is to wet the fields. Achieving this will mark a major milestone in climate-proofing our agriculture,” he said.
Prof. Jiri emphasized that the ministry is committed to building a weather-independent food system and stressed the critical role of private sector investment in this endeavor. “Transforming Zimbabwe into a weather-resilient food hub remains our top priority. Our next steps will focus on providing farmers with access to irrigation and implementing advanced irrigation systems,” he added.
This ambitious plan underscores Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to strengthen food security while promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the face of increasing climate challenges.
