PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to preside over the Zimbabwe Irrigation Investment Conference slated for the first week of July in Harare.
Key speakers at the conference include Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka, whose presentation will focus on Irrigation Development in Zimbabwe: Strategy, Investment Opportunities and Challenges, as well as Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube who will present on Irrigation Development Investment Incentives.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will also be among the dignitaries at the event, to be held under the theme, “Public-Private-Partnerships for Sustainable and Structured Irrigation Financing to Deliver Food Security; Everywhere, Everyday”.
According to the Agriculture ministry concept note for the conference, based on water stored in the reservoirs, the estimated national irrigation potential is 2.2 million hectares.
The concept note also shows that an estimated production of 1.8 million metric tonnes of maize and 400 000 metric tonnes of wheat is anticipated from the targeted 350 000 ha, which is adequate to feed the nation.
It said more than 70 percent of the population depends on agriculture for a living, with the sector continuing to face several threats affecting sustainable production and productivity.
Climate change and variability including the El Nino phenomena that is ravaging Zimbabwe and the larger part of the Sadc region during the current agricultural season, has underscored the importance and urgency with which the country needs to build resilience against the phenomenon.
“The need to step up implementation of climatesmart agriculture, water harvesting as well as irrigation development using water, energy and labour-saving technologies have become more important than ever before,” the ministry said.
“In this regard, the government has prioritised irrigation development as outlined in the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation Development Plan, where the country is targeting to develop 350 000 ha of land under irrigation by 2025. This has seen the area under irrigation increasing from an initial 175 000 ha in 2019 to 217 000 ha in 2024.”
The government has explored several options including Public Private Partnerships to attract investment into irrigation by facilitating the formation of the Irrigation Development Alliance (IDA) which intends to fund the development of 153 000 ha of land under irrigation by 2027.
The conference is aimed at discussing the current status of irrigation development in Zimbabwe and showcasing available opportunities for investing in the sector, establishing local industry capacity and mapping a way forward on the participation in irrigation rehabilitation and development as well as engaging with multi-lateral financial institutions for strategic partnerships in irrigation development.
Other objectives include developing sustainable financing models/modalities for irrigation rehabilitation and development in Zimbabwe, presenting and discussing incentives that the government offers in the irrigation development space and structuring deals that will see the development of the sector. — New Ziana