In Zimbabwe’s semi-arid districts, climate-smart irrigation schemes are transforming the way smallholder farmers cope with erratic rainfall, increasing harvests and securing more stable incomes. Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and local partners, these schemes are strengthening community resilience to climate shocks while safeguarding natural resources.
The impact of these interventions was captured in a FAO-led assessment under the Regional Office for Africa’s Lessons Learning and Knowledge Sharing Initiative on Resilience. Using a harmonized measurement tool developed during the 2024 regional workshop, the study evaluated Zimbabwe’s irrigation schemes and revealed striking results. Farmers participating in FAO-supported schemes scored significantly higher on resilience indicators than non-irrigators, demonstrating a stronger ability to prevent, anticipate, absorb, adapt, and transform in response to shocks.
Over the past five years, 45 irrigation schemes have been rehabilitated across 2,000 hectares, benefiting more than 20,000 people. Where farmers once harvested only once annually, they now produce two or even three cycles per year. The adoption of efficient technologies — including solar-powered pumps, drip systems, and microjets — has reduced costs, conserved water, and boosted yields, proving that modern irrigation methods can deliver both economic and environmental gains.
Beyond technology, the schemes highlight key lessons in sustainability. Strong local governance through irrigation committees, farmer-to-farmer training in crop planning, marketing, and business management, and collective sales of high-value crops such as sugar beans have improved access to private markets. Institutional support has also reinforced these gains, with upgraded facilities like the Zimbabwe Irrigation Technology Centre and new partnerships with agribusinesses, finance institutions, and insurance providers helping to solidify the benefits for local communities.
“Irrigation is more than infrastructure — it is about empowering rural communities through knowledge, partnerships, and sustainable practices,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa. “Zimbabwe’s experience shows how investing in climate-smart irrigation can transform lives and build resilience in the face of climate change.”
The lessons from Zimbabwe now feed into FAO’s wider knowledge-sharing initiatives across Africa, supporting resilience goals under Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Post-Malabo Declaration. By demonstrating how climate-smart irrigation can enhance productivity, sustainability, and community empowerment simultaneously, Zimbabwe is setting a practical example for the continent’s smallholders to follow.
