Agriculture Reporter
Switzerland has committed US$6,3 million towards the rehabilitation of eight irrigation schemes in Masvingo covering above 700 hectares, with the Swiss government pledging to work directly with Government. The project is expected to benefit selected schemes that are either non-functional or non-operational to full capacity because of old age, poor operation and maintenance challenges.

Some of the schemes set to benefit were destroyed by Cyclone Eline 15 years ago.

Speaking during a signing ceremony between the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Luciano Lavizzari, said Switzerland was committed to supporting the developmental goals in the irrigation sector in line with Zim-Asset.

He said rain-fed agriculture was becoming difficult as a result of climate change.

“Because one of the Swiss Agency for Development Co-operation’s objectives is poverty reduction, our attention went naturally to smallholder irrigation.

“To enhance sustainability, the project will besides rehabilitating irrigation schemes, also pay attention to aspects of the value chain to ensure that smallholder irrigators are capacitated to produce high value crops, linked to viable markets and are organised to be able to operate and maintain their schemes,” he said.

Ambassador Lavizzari said Switzerland was willing to work directly with the Zimbabwean Government to improve the quality and effectiveness of developmental aid and ensure accountability from both the donor and beneficiary. “This means Switzerland now agrees to work more directly with the Government of Zimbabwe without intermediaries and gradually making use of Zimbabwe’s country systems,” he said.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said irrigation development was Government and Zanu-PF’s top priority.

“We are in the process of preparing the national irrigation strategy and I hope that SDC and FAO will be able to assist in that strategic direction and documentation. Their experience is pertinent. Government appreciates this first project that relates to direct re-engagement with the State. This has been the outcry by Government that resources coming from partners should be directed to the State so that we take full account for these resources. It is very difficult for Government to monitor resources that come through a third party,” he said.

FAO country representative Mr David Chimimba Phiri said weather changes in the Southern African region has resulted in the shifting of rainfall seasons affecting crop production.

“There is need to recapitalise many established irrigation schemes and this is one of the reasons why FAO with other partners developed the national irrigation rehabilitation strategy,” he said.

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