Meeting Maize Requirement Production Targets through Utilisation of Potential Irrigable Area: Case of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, the once bread basket country of Southern Africa is experiencing recurring food shortages as a result of poor maize harvest. Researchers and politicians have blamed recurring droughts coupled with and lack of timely planting as the main cause of poor yields. This paper assessed whether Zimbabwe could meet its maize requirement if it revamp irrigation infrastructure and utilise its potential irrigable land for maize production. Data for the 8 rural provinces of Zimbabwe on potential irrigable area for the year 2013 was obtained from Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. The study assumed four scenarios of average maize yields namely 0.8 tonnes, 2 tonnes, 5 tonnes and 10 tonnes per hectare.From the analysis it was found out that Zimbabwe has a total of 374 598 hectares of potential irrigable area in its 8 rural provinces of which the majority is occupied by A2, ARDA and Large Scale Commercial Farmers. Of the potential irrigable land, Manicaland Province has the largest area (117 163ha). Assuming that the maize output for the 2013/14 agricultural season of 1.2 million metric tonnes is maintained in the next coming agricultural season, the use of potential irrigable land for maize production of an average yield of 0.8 tonnes will result in a shortfall of a 0.6 million metric tonnes. At an average yield of 2 tonnes per hectare, a shortfall of 0.2 million metric tonnes will be experienced. All the other assumed scenarios, 5 tonnes and 10 tonnes per hectare, will result in Zimbabwe producing surplus maize. In order to insure that all the potential irrigable area is used for maize production the study recommended the issuing of maize starter packs for all those owning potential irrigable area, subsidisation of maize inputs by the government as well as setting of price floors for maize production and ensuring ready and reliable maize markets.