Govt Assures Water Security for Winter Cropping

Oscar J Jeke, Zim Now Reporter

Government has assured the nation of sufficient water security for the upcoming winter cropping season, with national dam levels averaging 88.5%, surpassing last year’s 82%, according to the latest Cabinet briefing.

Presenting the Water Security Update and Preparedness for the 2025 Winter Plan, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, emphasised that 151 major dams across the country had been monitored to assess irrigation capacities.

The government has set a target of 135,250 hectares for winter cereal production, comprising 120,000 hectares for wheat, 6,500 hectares for barley, and 8,750 hectares for Irish potatoes.

The wheat plan aims to yield 600,000 metric tonnes, surpassing the national annual requirement of 360,000 metric tonnes, while barley and potato production are projected to reach 39,000 and 263,250 metric tonnes, respectively.

To ensure the plan’s success, the government will closely monitor 21 critical enablers, including power supply, water availability, access to seed, fertilizer, and fuel.

Financial support mechanisms such as farmer payments, insurance, and financing are also being reinforced.

Additionally, operational efficiency, mechanisation, contract farming, and risk management strategies, including pest control, land security, and fire management, are key focal points.

“The government will closely monitor 21 critical enablers, including power, water, seed, fertilizer, and fuel; financial support enablers, including farmer payments, finance, and insurance; operational efficiency enablers, including mechanization, coordination, and contract farming…” the minister stated.

“A whole-of-government and whole-of-sector approach will be adopted to meet the production targets,” he added.

This assurance comes as Zimbabwe seeks to enhance food security and reduce dependency on grain imports.

However, private entities such as PHI, which is Innscor’s agriculture unit, have raised concerns over irrigation water availability for this year’s wheat.

PHI Director Graeme Murdoch stated, “While rainfall in the northern regions has been sufficient for crops, runoff into dams remains inadequate to guarantee a successful winter crop.”