Staff Reporter
The Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme in Mwenezi District, under Chief Mawarire, has breathed new life into the local farming community, turning ordinary villagers into thriving agricultural entrepreneurs.
The 300-hectare project, which was completed in 2020,under the Green Climate Fund (GCF)’s Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe, is benefitting 300 direct participants and many other households in the drought-stricken area.
Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme Chairperson,Chizivano Shava, said the initiative had drastically improved the livelihoods of the farmers, most of whom previously relied on unreliable rain-fed agriculture.
“This project has brought real change to our lives. Our ancestors dreamed of such a scheme, and we are thankful to all the partners who made it possible. Today we are no longer just villagers, we are business-minded farmers making a living from the land,” said Shava.
He said the farmers were producing green mealies and sugar beans for sale at various markets, including Rutenga Growth Point, generating the much-needed income for their families.
Despite the successes recorded so far, Shava called for additional support to enhance production.
“We still have some challenges that need attention. Part of the scheme requires proper fencing to secure the crops and protect the infrastructure. We also need tractors to improve tillage operations because using cattle-drawn ploughs is slowing us down,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, who visited the scheme, recently, urged the farmers to embrace a business approach in running the project for sustainability.
“This is not just a community project; it is a business opportunity that can uplift the whole area if managed properly. We encourage you to formalise operations by registering as a company and running the scheme in a professional way,” said Professor Jiri.
The Irrigation Scheme has been widely commended for transforming local agriculture and strengthening food and income security in Mwenezi.
Farmers in the area, once dependent on food aid and inconsistent rainfall, are now producing surplus harvests for sale, allowing them to meet their daily needs and improve their standard of living.
With more support, particularly in mechanisation and infrastructure, such as fencing, the irrigation scheme is set to become a model of rural economic empowerment and climate-resilient farming in the province.
