Impacts of Zimbabwe European Union micro-project programme (Zim/Eu MPP) in funding smallholder irrigation projects on food security and income levels

Abstract

At least 70% of smallholders live in the semi-arid regions IV and V where rainfall is erratic and soils in these 
regions are derived from granite and generally shallow, light textured and of low fertility. As a result, farmers 
cannot produce adequate grain to meet their annual household requirements by dry land farming. The 
Zimbabwe/EU Micro-projects Programme has funded smallholder irrigation projects since 1982 to improve the 
food security in these marginal areas. In an effort to assess the impacts of the ZIM/EU MPP funded irrigation 
schemes and justify further investments in smallholder irrigation projects, a case study based on a comparative 
analysis between irrigators and non-irrigators was done at Mopane Irrigation Scheme. Preliminary results 
indicated irrigators were more food secure than non-irrigators. Using the Gross Margin Analysis, irrigators were 
found to be better performers with increased incomes than non-irrigators. A regression analysis to examine 
factors affecting food security level revealed that household size, off-farm income, draught power to be 
significant at the 5% confidence interval. The study concluded that irrigators were more food secure and better 
performers than non-irrigators. The ZIM/EU MPP should continue to invest more resources in smallholder 
irrigation schemes. The study recommends that governments, public and private institutions and non
governmental organisations are recommended to work together defining and implementing comprehensive 
strategies for smallholder irrigation development, especially in the smallholder communal areas so as to ensure 
increased food security, income and employment to the rural population.