Staff Reporter
The sugar industry has been urged to adopt water conservation techniques to reduce pressure on irrigation infrastructure and ensure sustainable sugarcane production in the Lowveld.

Recent heavy rains have revived hopes for a successful harvest among sugarcane out-growers, who were previously affected by an acute irrigation water shortage caused by last season’s El Niño-induced drought. The prolonged dry spell severely impacted cane production, particularly at Mkwasine Estates and parts of Hippo Valley, where limited water supplies from dams threatened yields.
To mitigate future water shortages, industry experts are advocating for efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, which conserves water while boosting productivity.
Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station (ZSAES) engineer, Goden Mabaya, explained the urgency of adopting water-efficient irrigation methods in the region.
“Traditionally, growing cane requires 15 megalitres of water per hectare, but with water scarcity especially at Manjerenje Dam, which was only 15% full last year, we had to explore alternatives. We introduced a sub-surface drainage system, and it has proven to be a game changer, reducing water consumption while increasing yields,” he said.
Beyond water conservation, experts emphasize that drip irrigation also helps reduce production costs.
“Our industry faces high production costs due to expenses on labour, machinery, and inputs. Technologies like drip irrigation are automated and require fewer workers, lowering operational costs. Additionally, ZINWA charges farmers based on water usage per hectare, so reducing water consumption also reduces farming expenses,” explained ZSAES senior industrial agricultural research chemist, Dr. Washington Mutatu.
Sugarcane outgrowers agree that water conservation is a collective responsibility.
“We are grateful for the good rains, but as farmers, we must also conserve water in the face of climate change. Last year, the El Niño drought hit us hard, so we need to do everything possible to store and efficiently use water,” said one out-grower.
Another farmer emphasized the need to move away from traditional flood irrigation.
“The sugar industry has relied on flood irrigation for too long. It’s time to adopt more efficient techniques like drip irrigation, which not only saves water but is also a cost-effective production method,” he said.
Another grower highlighted the importance of expanding water infrastructure.
“With sugarcane fields expanding, we also need to expand the water conveyance system to ensure every farm gets enough water. This is only possible if we conserve our dam water,” he added.
The Tugwi-Mukosi Dam supplies 80% of the irrigation water required by the country’s major sugar producers, Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates. The remaining 20% comes from Lake Mutirikwi, Manjerenje, Siya, and Manyuchi dams.