Small-scale and smallholder irrigation in Zimbabwe : analysis of opportunities for improvements

The bulk of the report discusses specific suggestions to: (1) monitor and evaluate irrigation water use and other irrigation scheme features; (2) strengthen programs to build effective irrigation associations and irrigation management committees; (3) improve analysis of intra- and inter-year water allocation and of irrigation"s contribution to economic growth, equity, and stability; (4) develop field-level institutions and procedures to increase the potential of small-scale irrigation schemes, with emphasis on coordinating efforts at all levels between the Irrigation Department and the Ministry of Water Resources and Development; (5) train personnel to design, implement, operate, and maintain water pumping systems in order to increase system reliability and reduce costs; (6) utilize the national Farm Irrigation Fund (constraints to this use are discussed); (7) develop the full-fledged university and technical training programs needed to sustain long-term irrigation development; and (8) field-test ideas and techniques developed in activities 1-7. (Author abstract, modified)