Dams to anchor food security, Zim’s rural industrialisation drive

Source: Dams to anchor food security, Zim’s rural industrialisation drive – herald

Nyasha Simbisai

Agriculture Correspondent

ZIMBABWE’S more than 10 600 water bodies can transform agriculture, accelerate rural industrialisation and boost food security, with dams no longer serving as mere storage facilities but as centres of economic activity, the Government has said.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the country possessed sufficient water resources to support large-scale irrigation, fisheries, hydropower generation, livestock production and domestic water supply, making integrated dam utilisation central to Zimbabwe’s economic development agenda.

Commenting on the country’s irrigation expansion strategy and dam development programme, Prof Jiri said several of Zimbabwe’s major dams had the capacity to irrigate vast tracts of land.

“As we go forward, irrigation development becomes critical. Zimbabwe has more than 10 600 water bodies — many of them large dams with the capacity to irrigate more than two million hectares,” he said.

He cited Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, which has the potential to irrigate over 40 000 hectares, Marovanyati Dam with a capacity exceeding 5 000 hectares, while Gwayi-Shangani Dam is expected to irrigate up to 10 000 hectares once completed.

Prof Jiri said achieving national food self-sufficiency would require at least 350 000 hectares to be placed under irrigation specifically for cereal production, underscoring irrigation as a strategic investment in safeguarding agricultural productivity against climate variability.

He, however, stressed that constructing dam walls should not be viewed as the final objective, as the real value lies in transforming every dam into an integrated economic hub capable of generating multiple livelihood opportunities.

“The important thing is not merely to build the dam. Constructing the dam wall is the easier part. The key is to convert every water body into an economy that supports irrigation development, fisheries, hydropower generation, livestock production and clean water supply for surrounding communities,” said Prof Jiri.

He said dams should become catalysts for rural industrialisation, employment creation and improved household incomes by supporting diverse economic activities around them.

Integrated utilisation of water infrastructure will also stimulate value chains, attract investment and enhance the livelihoods of communities living around the country’s dams.

Meanwhile, the Government has also revealed that significant progress has been recorded in the construction of strategic dams across the country, with flagship projects expected to substantially improve water security and irrigation development.

Prof Jiri said Gwayi-Shangani Dam, one of Zimbabwe’s largest infrastructure projects, had since surpassed 70 percent completion, with the Government targeting to set its completion date before the end of this year.

He said Treasury support had accelerated construction works, positioning the project for completion before the onset of the next rainy season.

Once completed, the dam will begin impounding water and supply Bulawayo through a pipeline that is already under construction.

Beyond improving urban water supply, the project will unlock irrigation opportunities at Upper Ncema, Lower Ncema and Insiza dams, significantly expanding agricultural production in Matabeleland.

“Kunzvi Dam is also progressing very well and is now over 75 percent complete. It has already started impounding water while finishing works continue. The pipeline linking the dam to Harare is already under construction,” said Prof Jiri.

The dam is expected to play a critical role in augmenting water supplies for Harare and surrounding areas once completed later this year.

Prof Jiri also highlighted steady progress on Vungu Dam in Gweru, which has exceeded 60 percent completion and is expected to be finalised early next year.

He added that Sengwa Dam had now passed the 50 percent completion mark, reflecting continued momentum across the Government’s national dam construction programme.

The permanent secretary said the strategic importance of these projects extends beyond water storage, noting that complementary infrastructure such as irrigation schemes, pipelines and water reticulation systems will determine the full economic value of the investments.

He said integrated water infrastructure development would strengthen agricultural production, improve access to clean water, expand irrigation, support fisheries and livestock production, while creating employment opportunities across rural communities.

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