| Ivhu Kuvanhu ● Umhlabathi Kubantu ● Land to the People |
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Irrigation
The estimated irrigable area in Zimbabwe is 550 000 hectares, of which 200 000 hectares has been developed. This includes
functional and non-functional irrigation systems, as well as informal irrigation schemes. On the basis of physical criteria, only
some extra 200 000 to 250 000 hectares can be irrigated (FAO, 1990). 45% of stored water is in government owned dams. The
rest is in some 5 700 dams found on large-scale commercial farms and on privately owned plantation estates. There is
considerable unutilised water in government dams. The Department of Irrigation (2003) estimates that there is water in 23
government dams that could irrigate up to 15 600 hectares.
Of the 12,430 dams in this entire region, an astonishing 10,747 are in Zimbabwe. Although Zimbabwe has only 7 percent of
the land area of the region, it has 93 percent of all the reservoir water surface area.That gave the country a tremendous cushion
against droughts
Technology
Most of the irrigated area (over 80%) is under overhead (sprinkler) irrigation, with the remainder under surface irrigation. These
two systems have efficiencies of 60 to 65% and 25 to 30% respectively. It is generally accepted that Zimbabwe’s water use
efficiencies are low. Attempts have been made to rectify the situation. Largescale commercial farmers had started to invest in
water use enhancing technology. For example, an estimated 250 to 300 centre pivots were brought into the country before the
Fast Track programme. There was also some investment in drip systems.
Water is now regarded as an economic good and not a free good. People who use water commercially are required to pay for it
in accordance with the ‘user pays’ principle, so as to recover costs incurred in administering and managing water. However, the
Water Act provides for the Government to ensure that water prices are socially acceptable.
The estimated irrigable area in Zimbabwe is 550 000 hectares, of which 200 000 hectares has been developed. This includes
functional and non-functional irrigation systems, as well as informal irrigation schemes. On the basis of physical criteria, only
some extra 200 000 to 250 000 hectares can be irrigated (FAO, 1990). 45% of stored water is in government owned dams. The
rest is in some 5 700 dams found on large-scale commercial farms and on privately owned plantation estates. There is
considerable unutilised water in government dams. The Department of Irrigation (2003) estimates that there is water in 23
government dams that could irrigate up to 15 600 hectares.
Of the 12,430 dams in this entire region, an astonishing 10,747 are in Zimbabwe. Although Zimbabwe has only 7 percent of
the land area of the region, it has 93 percent of all the reservoir water surface area.That gave the country a tremendous cushion
against droughts
Technology
Most of the irrigated area (over 80%) is under overhead (sprinkler) irrigation, with the remainder under surface irrigation. These
two systems have efficiencies of 60 to 65% and 25 to 30% respectively. It is generally accepted that Zimbabwe’s water use
efficiencies are low. Attempts have been made to rectify the situation. Largescale commercial farmers had started to invest in
water use enhancing technology. For example, an estimated 250 to 300 centre pivots were brought into the country before the
Fast Track programme. There was also some investment in drip systems.
Water is now regarded as an economic good and not a free good. People who use water commercially are required to pay for it
in accordance with the ‘user pays’ principle, so as to recover costs incurred in administering and managing water. However, the
Water Act provides for the Government to ensure that water prices are socially acceptable.
Labour
For new farmers who aspire to be big in the mould of the white farmers, labour is a bigger problem than it was in the olden
days of the white farmers’ dominance. The farm-workers have been scattered. They are anxious and unmotivated in light of the
country’s many tensions. They are resentful of a new farmer who they know did nothing to be the “owner” of the farm.
Having the latitude to pay low wages is definitely a benefit to a farmer trying to get established. Payment of low wages is,
however, now more politically-incorrect than it was during the era of the large-scale white commercial farmer. So while the new
farmers may pay even less now than the low wages paid by the white farmer and provide fewer or no other non-cash “benefits,”
the cost for that in reduced loyalty, low productivity, high absenteeism and so forth is far higher.
For new farmers who aspire to be big in the mould of the white farmers, labour is a bigger problem than it was in the olden
days of the white farmers’ dominance. The farm-workers have been scattered. They are anxious and unmotivated in light of the
country’s many tensions. They are resentful of a new farmer who they know did nothing to be the “owner” of the farm.
Having the latitude to pay low wages is definitely a benefit to a farmer trying to get established. Payment of low wages is,
however, now more politically-incorrect than it was during the era of the large-scale white commercial farmer. So while the new
farmers may pay even less now than the low wages paid by the white farmer and provide fewer or no other non-cash “benefits,”
the cost for that in reduced loyalty, low productivity, high absenteeism and so forth is far higher.
Components for Successful Farming
After the land has been acquired there needs to be a critical synthesis of agricultural inputs and machinery ensuring the
productivity of farms. Highly productive farmers require the right inputs, in the correct quantities, at the right time and at
affordable prices. The effectiveness of input supplying industries in satisfying these requirements is largely influenced by the
structure, conduct, and regulatory environment facing them.
We have to devise strategies and policy options to improve supply and accessibility of inputs and services to all classes of farmers.
After the land has been acquired there needs to be a critical synthesis of agricultural inputs and machinery ensuring the
productivity of farms. Highly productive farmers require the right inputs, in the correct quantities, at the right time and at
affordable prices. The effectiveness of input supplying industries in satisfying these requirements is largely influenced by the
structure, conduct, and regulatory environment facing them.
We have to devise strategies and policy options to improve supply and accessibility of inputs and services to all classes of farmers.
Dairy: Livestock farming is a long term investment. At current rates of interest, it is difficult to finance such investments using debt.
Moreover, most financial institutions do not offer long term finance for livestock production. Dairy production involves economies
of significant scale in on-farm production and in milk collection. The dairy cow requires large amounts of food and milking
infrastructure requires a large enough herd to absorb the cost of putting in such investments.
Moreover, most financial institutions do not offer long term finance for livestock production. Dairy production involves economies
of significant scale in on-farm production and in milk collection. The dairy cow requires large amounts of food and milking
infrastructure requires a large enough herd to absorb the cost of putting in such investments.
Wildlife and forestry: Wildlife ranching and forestry have demonstrated the ability to earn critically important foreign currency.
However, ecological constraints require that these be operated as large units, with 50 000 hectares being suggested by some as
the minimum for an ecologically viable unit. In very rough grazing and rugged terrain, this may be a land use to consider.
However, the idea of one person owning such a vast amount of real estate can be socially alarming. The long term cyclical
growth and rotation requirements of sustained forest production as well as scale of economies embedded in harvesting
equipment also require large farm sizes, particularly in on-going plantations.
However, ecological constraints require that these be operated as large units, with 50 000 hectares being suggested by some as
the minimum for an ecologically viable unit. In very rough grazing and rugged terrain, this may be a land use to consider.
However, the idea of one person owning such a vast amount of real estate can be socially alarming. The long term cyclical
growth and rotation requirements of sustained forest production as well as scale of economies embedded in harvesting
equipment also require large farm sizes, particularly in on-going plantations.
Seeds: There is concern that more land for seed production be allocated to seed companies and individual seed producers. Seed
companies will need larger farm sizes in all agro-ecological zones in order to accommodate
sizeable areas of seed growing, seed research, seed processing (cleaning) and storage. Individual seed
producers will need larger seed growing areas and space to ensure seed isolation.
companies will need larger farm sizes in all agro-ecological zones in order to accommodate
sizeable areas of seed growing, seed research, seed processing (cleaning) and storage. Individual seed
producers will need larger seed growing areas and space to ensure seed isolation.
| An Independent Agrarian Reform Watchdog |
| Equitable Redistribution of Land to all Zimbabweans |
| © 2008 OneManOneFarm.org - the agrarian reform advocacy watchdog 1515 North Town East Boulevard, Suite 138-119,Mesquite TX 75150 | Email:info@onemanonefarm.org |
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