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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

Zinwa has assured farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector that there is sufficient water to irrigate almost three times the 85 000ha of winter wheat expected to be planted and harvested this season.

Corporate communications and marketing manager for Zinwa Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, announcing the higher than average dam holdings, said there was in fact enough water to irrigate a total of 238 348 hectares of irrigable land across the provinces. 

“With water being the second most strategic input for the winter cropping activities, coming only after land, Zinwa wishes to assure stakeholders and farmers that a robust and convenient mechanism has been put in place to ensure that all people in need of water for winter cropping access the resource,’’ she said.

Farmers and other water users intending to draw water from dams owned and managed by Zinwa should visit the authority’s catchment offices. 

These are in Bindura for the Mazowe Catchment, Chinhoyi for the Manyame Catchment, Mutare for the Save Catchment, Gweru for the Sanyati Catchment, Masvingo for the Runde Catchment, Bulawayo for the Gwayi Catchment and Gwanda for the Mzingwane Catchment.

Alternatively, they could visit their service centre offices in Harare, Murombedzi, Guruve (based in Mvurwi), Karoi, Kwekwe (based Kadoma), Chivhu, Gokwe, Lupane, Hwange, Bulawayo, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Triangle, Chivi, Zaka, Mutoko, Mt Darwin, Rusape, Birchenough Bridge and Nyanga.

The water abstraction agreements will allow Zinwa to efficiently and sustainably allocate the available water among competing users.

Farmers should work closely with their extension officers or any other competent individuals in coming up with their water requirements to avoid overstating or understating these.

Zinwa had also put in place convenient modalities for farmers to settle their water bills and these include stop order facilities at the end of the season or engaging contract farming financiers to assist with the settlement of water bills.

Zinwa was ready and open to play its rightful role in ensuring the success of the current winter cropping season as the country drives towards the being food sufficient and food secure, said Mrs Munyonga.

The establishment of dams in rural areas dovetails with the Government’s plan of industrialising rural areas, and irrigation development through climate proofing agricultural production. 

Irrigation and good water supplies are seen as Vision 2030 accelerators through maximisation of production of food, cash crops and exports such as tobacco, cotton, wheat and sunflower thereby empowering rural                                                            economies.

Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Mrs Monica Chinamasa said there is enough water for winter wheat cropping adding that farmers should use the water wisely. 

“The rising dam levels signal a bumper winter harvest this year . and this is very crucial for the winter crop such as wheat. Water bodies should be protected so that we benefit from them,” she said.

Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president, Mr Victor Mariranyika, said the country now has enough water for irrigation in winter and summer. 

“Farmers who are near these dams should use the water for agricultural production. They need to use the water wisely in order for us to improve productivity. This will go a long way in improving agricultural activities and boost production, so we also expect more production,” he said

More large dams in critical areas, what are called the high impact dams, are being built as Government moves forward on the 12 high impact dams now under construction to continue building the agricultural sector and ensure adequate urban water                                                                       supplies.