Mashonaland Central Irrigation Projects Expand Food Security

Agricultural Marketing Authority-supported irrigation projects in Mashonaland Central have reached milestones expected to expand year-round maize and wheat production, NewZimbabwe.com reported. The projects form part of a broader effort to expand irrigation infrastructure, improve agricultural productivity, and strengthen food security against intensifying drought conditions. Six AMA-supported projects covering 665.5 hectares are advancing as a buffer against the looming Super El Niño, Zimeye reported. Farmers and agronomists caution, however, that coverage remains limited, water sources are already strained, and rain-fed regions remain vulnerable to crop failure, livestock stress, and pasture depletion. The strategic vulnerability is that irrigation gains are geographically concentrated and may not offset national drought losses unless access expands rapidly.