Tabitha Mutenga, Staff Reporter
WITH climate change already taking its toll on agriculture, the Finance Minister, Tendai Biti has allocated US$15 million for 56 irrigation schemes around the country.
Presenting the 2012, national budget, Biti said there was need to enhance efforts in irrigation development and rehabilitation considering most small scale farmers had failed to venture into commercial farming because they lacked proper irrigation facilities.
"In the absence of sustainable irrigation schemes, most farmers have failed to move from subsistence to commercial farming where higher yields are realised. This stark reality was brought out by many farmers during the budget consultative process, noting that commercial farming without irrigation is no different from subsistence farming
"This draws from the unpredictable variability in the rainfall pattern which adversely affects agricultural output, particularly in the southern parts of the country," he said.
Beneficiaries include the 1?400 hectare (ha) Arda-Transau in Mutare, which was allocated US$65?000 to develop 260 ha of land.
Bubi-Lupane irrigation scheme in Matabeleland North was given US$210?000 to rehabilitate 40 ha for irrigation from its 200 ha; Mtshabezi scheme in Gwanda which was provided with US$ 35?000 for 30 ha.
Other irrigation schemes include Mutunha in Buhera, Nyaitenga in Mutoko, Gutsa in Muzarabani, Meikles in Chipinge, Sadza in Chikomba, Nyakomba in Nyanga, Chiduku-Tikwiri in Makoni, Chizumba in Mwenezi, Bengura in Bikita and Biri in Zvimba.
Farmers have always urged government to prioritise the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes to help avert effects of climate change which are seriously threatening the country's food security as the country has not been spared from erratic rainfall patterns that are becoming more frequent.
The irrigation potential for the country is estimated at 365?624 ha. Of this a potential over 100?000 ha can be immediately developed using water from existing under-utilised dams, newly constructed dams and dams currently under construction. However, the non-availability of funding and the high investment costs for irrigation have retarded development of new irrigation facilities.
In line with agricultural growth, Biti said the agricultural sector requires more than US$2 billion annually to fully take advantage of its potential and this can be achieved through joint efforts between government, the private sector and external partners.
"Farmers also have to play their part, demonstrating preparedness for upcoming agricultural seasons. In this regard, the projected growth in agricultural production of 11,6 percent in 2012 takes account of the number of financing facilities established by government, the banking sector, co-operating partners, seed and fertiliser suppliers in support of the preparation for the 2011/2012 agricultural season," Biti said.
"The anticipated successful agricultural season is, not only predicated on the anticipation of normal rainfall, but also on the adequate availability of agricultural inputs on the local market."
The projected growth of agricultural output in 2012 will be led by increased output in tobacco, maize, cotton, soya beans and poultry. Projections for the 2012 production year show that tobacco will increase from 133 million kilogrammes in 2011 to 150 million kg in 2012.
Maize will increase from 1?451 million tonnes to 1,8 million tonnes next year, cotton increasing from the current 250?000 tonnes to 286?000 tonnes in 2012, sugarcane will increase from 370?000 tonnes to 400?000 tonnes, horticulture from 40?000 to 51?000, soyabeans will increase from 84?000 tonnes in 2011 to 100?000 tonnes in 2012 while wheat production will not change from the current 40?000 tonnes.
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