ZINWA assures farmers of sufficient water for winter wheat production

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has assured farmers that there is enough water available to meet the country’s winter wheat production goals.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa)

Speaking at the ongoing Winter Crop Revolution Conference in Bulawayo, which is hosted by Zimpapers in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development, Zinwa spokesperson Mrs Marjorie Munyonga stressed the importance of registering with ZINWA to secure water allocations for the upcoming season.

“We are currently in the process of registering farmers for water allocation,” she said. “We encourage all farmers to register, and many have already done so, signing agreements for their water usage.”

Mrs Munyonga explained that ZINWA uses an allocation system where farmers apply for the amount of water they require.

“For example, if a farmer applies for 20 megalitres, we reserve that amount in the dam they requested,” she added.

She also noted that ZINWA is actively conducting awareness campaigns to ensure farmers are fully informed about the registration process.

When asked about the availability of water for the winter season, Mrs Munyonga reassured the conference attendees: “We have enough water in our dams to meet the wheat production target set by the government.”

This year, the Zimbabwean government has set an ambitious target of planting 120 000 hectares of winter wheat, marking a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural production.

The plan is expected to produce 600 000 tonnes of wheat, surpassing last year’s output of 562 591 tonnes and exceeding the national self-sufficiency requirement of 360 000 tonnes.

The 2025 winter wheat plan is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen food security and reduce the nation’s wheat import bill. It is also designed to build on the successes of the 2024 Wheat-Based Food Security initiative, which has laid the groundwork for these enhanced production goals.-chronicle