EU plans $110m fund

via EU plans $110m fund | The Herald 23 October 2014 by Elita Chikwati

The European Union is finalising a $110 million National Indicative Plan for 2014-2020 which will be used to further develop links between agriculture, private sector and trade,  EU Zimbabwe Charged’ Affaires,  Mr Giles Enticknap has said.
More than 2000 farmers are set to benefit from fund.

Mr Enticknap said EU will support Government in achieving crop production and diversification targets set under the Food and Nutrition Security Cluster of  ZimAsset.

“The EU is convinced that agriculture has all the potential to regain its former position as a key driver of economic growth in Zimbabwe.
“This is why we have agreed with Government to make agricultural based economic growth, a corner stone of our future development co-operation.

“Value chain development will be an important consideration in our future support, promoting linkages between the agricultural and manufacturing sector, since the agricultural sector supplies 60 percent of raw materials to the industry,” he said.

The EU is also sponsoring an irrigation course which is being implemented by FAO in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.

This programme will boost agricultural productivity and competitiveness in 20 irrigation schemes.
“The scheme will benefit 2 000 communal farming households, although its multiplier effects will reach a total population of 36 000 in and around the targeted schemes,” he said.

Over the next three months, 20 engineers from across the country will be trained on a number of subjects with the objective of increasing existing in country capacity to appraise and mange irrigation projects.

FAO country representative, Dr Chimimba David Phiri said there were a number of irrigation schemes that were not operational because of lack of resources.

He said some canals were no longer working the canals and Government had identified those that required to be resuscitated.
“EU has provided $8 million for the project of resuscitating irrigation schemes and 20 schemes were identified from Manicaland and Matabeleland South,” he said.

Principal Director of Mechanisation, in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Mr Reston Muzamhindo, said the Smallholder Irrigation Development Support Programme was aimed at reducing food and nutrition insecurity in the drier areas of Zimbabwe.

“The programme currently being implemented in Matabeleland South and Manicaland provinces shall enhance livelihoods; improve agricultural production and productivity of smallholder irrigation schemes in these provinces,” he said.