Breakthrough for Zimbabwe's Small Scale Farmers
Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland province are set to receive a boost in their crop production following the signing of a Grant Agreement for the development of Nyakomba Irrigation scheme in Nyanga.
The $15 million grant, which was signed between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Monday, is expected to increase food security and macro-economic development for the locals.
JICA is an agency that coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan and is commissioned with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and promotion of international co-operation. The agency has about 100 offices located worldwide including 9 in the SADC region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the intervention by Japan in the agriculture sector will assist in reducing the adverse impact of climate change, restore damaged irrigation infrastructure and develop new irrigation infrastructure for A1 and A2 farmers in Nyakomba.
“The development of the irrigation scheme does not only improve food security and nutrition for the nation but, also provides increased net income for the people in Nyakomba,” he said.
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