The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
China has undertaken to fund Zimbabwe’s agricultural mechanisation, irrigation and modernisation programme to the tune of US$500 million, in a development expected to boost local food production. The initiative dovetails with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation (Zim Asset) which identifies agriculture among the key economic quick-win areas.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made told The Sunday Mail that China made the undertaking during President Mugabe’s recent State visit to that country.
Three major projects have been earmarked for funding.
Under the scheme, at least 20 000 hectares of land in Dande Valley in Mashonaland Central and parts of Manicaland will be put under irrigation.
An irrigation project and dam construction in Dande Valley will be financed to the tune of US$195 million, while setting up the Osborne Dam Irrigation Scheme in Manicaland will cost US$194 million.
The rehabilitation and expansion of Grain Marketing Board silos will cost US$70 million.
“The Dande Valley Irrigation Project will develop 10 000 hectares of land. This will include constructing Dande Dam and a tunnel that will deliver water to the hydro-power station,” said Dr Made.
“There will be generation of electricity which will be used at irrigation project, which is expected to start as soon as possible. Feasibility studies and designs are already complete.”
He added: “Under the 10 000 ha, fruits, horticultural and dairy products will be processed in Dande in line with our Zim Asset thrust of value addition and beneficiation.
“So, imagine the number of jobs that will be created.
“It will have an immediate impact in terms of employment and other related industries with such projects. The service providers will also benefit. Modernisation of agriculture will take place, and this relates to irrigation and all forms of modernisation.
“The Chinese government will dispatch top technicians to Zimbabwe to help with agriculture research, agronomy and planning. The central theme during our visit was China will assist Zimbabwe to produce, not only what is enough for our consumption, but also to feed other countries.”
Regarding maize deliveries to the GMB, Minister Made said more than 150 000 metric tonnes had been transported to the grain procurer’s depots by last Friday.
He said the largest delivery of 20 000 tonnes in one week was received this month.
He attributed the surge in production figures to the Presidential Agricultural Input Support Scheme which benefitted over 1,5 million households.
He added that more than half of the maize has already been paid for and Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa has indicated the remainder will be paid in the next two weeks.
