ZIMBABWE- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in partnership with the government of Zimbabwe have announced a US$200,000 project to rehabilitate two major irrigation schemes in Zaka in a bid to enhance food security in the dry district, reports the Herald.
The funding will be used in the revival of Nyatare and Mabvute irrigation schemes, which have a combined 120 hectares.
Upon completion of the rehabilitation exercise, hundreds of villagers in Zaka East are expected to benefit in terms of food security and a boost in disposable income.
Rehabilitation of the two schemes was in line with Government’s Command Agriculture programme, said Zaka District Agritex officer Mr Kennedy Pedzisai.
While the government will be responsible for labour, FAO will provide equipment for the project.
“The two irrigation schemes will benefit smallholder farmers across the district and very soon equipment such as centre pivots, water pumps and fence will be delivered paving the way for the start of the rehabilitation exercise,” he said.
“The major objective is to help communities around the scheme and plot holders to achieve food self-sufficiency and ultimately improve their standards of living.”
“We are very happy that FAO is committed to extend a helping hand in the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes in Zaka and equipping our farmers with the requisite farming skills to boost yields at the two schemes,” added Pedzisai.
In April, FAO signed a new agreement with Japan to fight Avian Influenza and Fall Armyworm in Zimbabwe.
Its objective is to strengthen the capacity of farmers and Government to rapidly respond to these two transboundary threats.
FAO estimated that the growing resistance of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites to antimicrobials will put 10 million people per year at risk by 2050.
It pledged to continue offering technical support to Government to help it achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target ahead of 2030.
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