US$85 million irrigation development support set for Zimbabwe in 2024
By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare, Zimbabwe- Central Government and its development partners have committed over US$85 million towards the growth of irrigation infrastructure and facilities in Zimbabwe, Kwedu News has learnt.
This was revealed by Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, during the Zimbabwe Irrigation Investment Conference held in Harare on Friday (05/07/2024) where he said more than ZiG88 million (approximately US$6.5 million) under Treasury has been budgeted for, under the irrigation sector in 2024.
Private partners have further committed almost US$80 million in development programmes and loan facilities towards the sector.
Prof. Ncube said Government alone is not able to attain its intended goals in the irrigation sector, thus, partnering with private players.
“… Zimbabwe’s developmental thrust recognises the centrality of private investment towards the realisation of the aspirations of its National Vision,” Prof. Ncube said.
“The scale of investment required to deliver on Vision 2030 cannot be funded by Government on its own through its National Budget. It is in this regard, that Government is facilitating such collaborations with the private sector for the attainment of the necessary economic development.
“My Ministry continues to support projects and programmes aimed at enhancing the growth of the irrigation sector which is one of key measures towards drought proofing agriculture and guaranteeing food security at both household and national level,” he said.
He said the ZiG88.4 million budgeted under the irrigation sector in 2024 is targeting mainly irrigation rehabilitation, development of irrigation infrastructure and
maintenance of communal irrigation schemes.
On private sector investment support, he said the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)’s Fund for International Development (OFID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and the Kuwait Loan Fund have availed funds to support Government’s vision on irrigation.
“Development Partners continue to compliment Governments efforts in irrigation development.
“These facilities include: US$15 million facility IFAD, OFID and Government co-financed Small Holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme.
“US$35.7 million loan facility under the OFID for Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP).
“US$20 million Kuwait Loan Fund; and US$9 million UNDP and FCDO Climate Adaptation Water, Energy Programme,” Prof. Ncube said.
He said the facilities make positive impact in enhancing food security at community level in the country.
Zimbabwe Government’s long term ultimate goal on irrigation is to put over 2.2 million hectares under irrigation from the current 217 000 hectares.
In the short term, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri says current government efforts are targeting to increase irrigable land to over 350 000 by 2025, and 153 000 more hectares by 2027 under the Irrigation Development Alliance programme (IDA).
After the turn of the century, very little was being done to maintain or revamp irrigation infrastructure in the sector with only 6 000 hectares under irrigation functioning, around 2016, from the 63 000 hectares added on to the 200 000 hectares recorded in the year 2000 due to years of neglect, vandalism and theft, a top Government official, the late Dr Conrade Zawe, is on record saying.
He said, then, that a fully functional irrigated agriculture sector has the capacity to consume 82 percent of the country’s water resources from just bellow 30 percent currently.
During the Investment Conference, Prof. Ncube also mentioned tax incentives, such as Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions and tariff amendments as a way to encourage investment in irrigation infrastructure.
Minister Ncube emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing macroeconomic stability and encouraging investments, aligning with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The conference, which is aimed to foster dialogue and networking on enhancing irrigation development in Zimbabwe, attracted both domestic and foreign investors.
