HARARE - The government is working on a new irrigation policy framework which is expected to rebuild the countrys irrigation schemes, which used to generate billion of dollars to the economy. The country has numerous irrigations schemes that, if rehabilitated, could benefit the country in terms of food production. The schemes have not recently been functioning due to lack of funding and proper equipment. In most regions, crops have been declared a write-off due to below normal rains and persistent dry spells. However, economic analysts have called on the government to look closely at the issue of irrigation and have said that effective irrigation farming would benefit the country hugely.
In an interview, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe said the government was working on a new irrigation framework aimed at transforming irrigation schemes around the country. “I know that irrigation farming been a topical issue for almost everyone and nothing has been happening in that sector. I’m glad to announce that the members of parliament have raised the debate and the position that we have taken is to embark on massive irrigation exercise which is the only way of increasing agricultural production,” said Khupe.
According to the deputy Prime Minisiter, the government was working on all the logistics and the programme would be launched once everything was finalised. The new policy is expected to look at activating the existing projects through the resuscitation of equipment. We have numerous irrigation that are complete but not functioning and that is what we want to rectify, she said.
The gesture comes after repeated calls by villagers that the government should assist in prioritising the development of irrigation schemes as a key to unlocking food security at household level.
Post published in: News