President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened Zimbabwe’s inaugural Irrigation Investment Conference on the 5th of July in Harare, unveiling an ambitious plan to expand the country’s irrigated farmland and boost food security in the face of climate change.
In his address, President Mnangagwa highlighted the urgent need for innovative funding solutions and sustainable partnerships to develop irrigation infrastructure, describing the 2023/2024 drought as “one of the worst in 43 years.”
“It is now urgent and imperative that we ‘think outside the box’ for the purpose of de-risking our nation from the vagaries of climate change,” President Emmerson Mnangagwa stated, emphasizing the shift from “unproductive food aid” models to empowering local food production.
The President reported a 24% increase in irrigated land between 2019 and 2024, marking the fastest expansion since independence. He outlined plans to reach Zimbabwe’s full irrigation potential of 2 million hectares, calling for public-private partnerships and international investment to achieve this goal.
An implementation agreement was signed with Pedstock and Valley brands during the conference, indicating steps towards private sector collaboration in irrigation and development.
The conference, themed “Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable and Structured Irrigation Financing to Deliver Food Security; Everywhere, Every Day,” brought together farmers, experts, government officials, and private sector stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
As part of a broader strategy, President Mnangagwa highlighted initiatives such as the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Agenda, extensive dam construction, and the introduction of climate-smart farming methods like the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The President also touched on related investment opportunities in power generation, logistics, and agricultural support services, positioning the irrigation drive as part of a comprehensive approach to rural development and economic growth.
With this conference, Zimbabwe signals its intent to lead in agricultural innovation and climate resilience, potentially setting a model for other nations in the region facing similar challenges.
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