Brian Rungano Temba
The Minister of Lands, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Dr Anxious Masuka has instructed the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to pursue money it is owed by farmers, in the interest of its sustenance.
ZINWA is owed ZWL$1,9 billion by farmers and has been struggling to recover the funds.
This has led to serious inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the allocation of water among the competing needs of users.
At the recent 2021 Winter Cropping Indaba hosted by ZINWA, Minister Masuka said he is aware of resistance by farmers to sign water abstraction agreements with ZINWA.
“It is high time that ZINWA and irrigating farmers, who are among its biggest debtors, find each other and work together for the good of the country. ZINWA is owed ZWL$ 1.9 billion dollars. To this end, I have directed the Board to collect this amount without fail and without fear and favour,” Minister Masuka said.
Government plans on putting 350 000 hectares of land under irrigation in the next three seasons.
This winter season 85 000 hectares will be devoted to winter wheat farming expected to yield 360 000 metric tonnes of wheat.
Water is expected to anchor the success as Zimbabwe moves towards food self sufficiency, import substitution and increasing export as part of the journey towards Vision 2030 and Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
ZINWA assured that the major dams have water capable of irrigating more than 230 000 hectares making the target achievable.
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